Cognitive Reappraisal and Neural Synchronization: Effects of Regulation Strategies in the Interpersonal Context

• Grant number: 25/15780-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Physiological Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Sérgio Boggio
• Grantee: Thayane Castro Carvalho Lemos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal can be a tool for mental health. Studies with dyads show that cognitive reappraisal can be effective in reducing negative emotions at an interpersonal level. Given that social proximity seems to be associated with neural synchronization, this study aims to assess whether the degree of social proximity can influence the effectiveness of interpersonal cognitive reappraisal. Electroencephalogram (EEG) hyperscanning and eye-tracking techniques will be used in conjunction with cognitive regulation strategies in dyads with and without affective bonds to investigate the influence of social proximity on emotion regulation efficacy. The dyads of participants will be asked to visualize and emotionally classify pictures of different contents before and after the cognitive reappraisal. Within each dyad, one participant will be randomly assigned to actively perform the cognitive reappraisal while the other will assume the role of observer of the reappraisal. Social proximity will be defined in advance, and dyads with (friends) and without affective ties will be invited to take part in the experiment. It is foreseen that the results found in this study may contribute to understanding if interpersonal relationships could act in favor of emotional regulation and, consequently, the mental health of individuals.