Social Baseline Theory/Social Sharing/Synchrony

Q: What is Social Baseline Theory?

A: Humans are wired to use social contact as a default emotion regulation strategy.

Q: How does social contact help regulate emotion?

A: Reduces perceived threat, lowers cognitive/metabolic cost, signals support.

Q: What is social sharing?

A: Talking with others about emotional events.

Q: What is the expression-discharge hypothesis?

A: Sharing negative emotions aids emotional recovery.

Q: Effects of sharing negative emotions?

A: Emotional relief, support, better relationships, problem solving.

Q: Effects of sharing positive emotions?

A: Increased positive feelings, satisfaction, self-esteem, better relationships.

Q: How does listener response affect sharing positive emotions?

A: Active-constructive responses ↑ positive feelings; destructive responses ↓ them.

Q: What are effects of emotional suppression around others?

A: Lower rapport, lower affiliation, increased blood pressure for both people.

Q: What is social affective regulation?

A: Bidirectional emotional linkage across behavior, physiology, and experience.

Q: Outcomes of emotional synchrony?

A: More closeness, higher satisfaction, lower breakup rates.

Q: Outcomes of behavioral synchrony?

A: More warmth, connectedness, mutuality, positive emotion.

Q: Outcomes of physiological synchrony?

A: Better detection of partner's emotions; greater positive emotion during conflict.