Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Emotional regulation skills refer to the ability to manage and control one's emotions in a healthy and adaptive way. These skills include recognizing, understanding, and appropriately expressing emotions.
The amygdala is a key brain structure involved in processing emotions. It plays a crucial role in detecting and responding to potential threats or rewards.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, impulse control, and regulating emotions. Damage to this area can impair emotional regulation abilities.
The hippocampus is involved in memory formation and retrieval. It also plays a role in regulating emotions by connecting past experiences with current emotional responses.