A model of emotional schemas

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1077-7229(02)80048-7Get rights and content

Three theoretical models of the relationship between cognition and emotion are examined: (a) ventilation theory (i.e., the greater expression of emotion, the better the outcome), (b) emotionally focused therapy (i.e., activation, expression, and validation of emotion facilitate acceptance and self-understanding), and (c) a cognitive model of emotional processing (i.e., individuals differ in their conceptualization and strategies in responding to emotion). A self-report assessment of emotional schemas reflecting 14 dimensions related to cognitive processing and strategies of emotional response is presented. Fifty-three adult psychotherapy patients were assessed and their responses on the emotional schemas evaluation were correlated with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. There was strong support for a cognitive model of emotional processing. Depression was related to greater guilt over emotion, expectation of longer duration, greater rumination, and viewing one's emotions as less comprehensible, less controllable, and as different from the emotions others have. Anxiety was related to greater guilt over emotion, a more simplistic view of emotion, greater rumination, viewing one's emotions as less comprehensible, less acceptance of feelings, viewing emotions as less controllable, and as different from the emotions others have. Dimensions related to the strict ventilation model—such as validation, numbness, and expression—were not related to depression or anxiety, although acceptance of feelings was related to less anxiety. Support was found for the emotional-focus model. Validation was related to less guilt, less simplistic ideas of emotion, expectation of shorter duration, less rumination, and to viewing emotion as more comprehensible, more controllable, more similar to emotions of others, and more acceptance of feelings.

References (54)

  • WellsA. et al.

    Preliminary tests of a cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder

    Behaviour Research and Therapy

    (1999)
  • WellsA. et al.

    Further tests of a cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder: Metacognitions and worry in GAD, panic disorder, social phobia, depression, and nonpatients

    Behavior Therapy

    (2001)
  • WellsA. et al.

    Worry and the incubation of intrusive images following stress

    Behaviour Research and Therapy

    (1995)
  • WellsA. et al.

    Social phobia: Effects of external attention on anxiety, negative beliefs, and perspective taking

    Behavior Therapy

    (1998)
  • BeckA.T.

    Beyond belief: A theory of modes, personality and psychopathology

  • BeckA.T. et al.

    Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective

    (1985)
  • BeckA.T. et al.

    Cognitive therapy of depression

    (1979)
  • BeckA.T. et al.

    Manual for the Revised Beck Depression Inventory

    (1987)
  • BeckA.T. et al.

    Beck Anxiety Inventory manual

    (1990)
  • CarverC.S. et al.

    Origins and functions of positive and negative affect: A control-process view

    Psychological Review

    (1990)
  • ClarkD.A.

    Panic disorder and social phobia

  • ClarkD.A. et al.

    Scientific foundations of cognitive theory and therapy of depression

    (1999)
  • DiGiuseppeR.

    Thinking what to feel

  • DrydenW.

    Dealing with anger problems: Rational-emotive therapeutic interventions

    (1990)
  • FoaE.B. et al.

    Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information

    Psychological Bulletin

    (1986)
  • FranklV.E.

    The spiritual dimension in existential analysis and logotherapy

    Journal of Individual Psychology

    (1959)
  • GreenbergL.S. et al.

    Working with emotions

    (1997)
  • Cited by (198)

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text