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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.11.19.376202

Pupil dilation predicts individual success in emotion regulation and dietary self-control

Maier, S. U.·Grueschow, M.
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Abstract

Multiple theories have proposed that increasing central arousal through the brains locus coeruleus - norepinephrine system may facilitate cognitive control and memory. However, for emotion research this hypothesis poses a puzzle, because conventionally, successful emotion regulation is associated with a decrease in arousal. Pupil diameter is a proxy to infer upon the central arousal state. We employed an emotion regulation paradigm with a combination of design features that allowed us to dissociate regulation- from stimulus-associated arousal in the pupil diameter time course of healthy adults. A pupil diameter increase during regulation predicted individual differences in emotion regulation success beyond task difficulty. Moreover, the extent of this individual arousal boost predicted performance in another self-control task, dietary health challenges. Participants who harnessed more regulation-associated arousal during emotion regulation were also more successful in choosing healthier foods. These results suggest that a common arousal-based facilitation mechanism may support an individuals self-control across domains.

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Maier, S. U., Grueschow, M.. 2020-11-20. Pupil dilation predicts individual success in emotion regulation and dietary self-control. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.19.376202

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