Abstract
In this study, I investigated to what extent different types of reappraisal were associated with different gaze and mood patterns. Seventy participants (Mage = 20) viewed three sets of negatively valenced images, which were accompanied by a set of viewing instructions. In the first condition, just view, participants were instructed to view the images naturally. Positive reappraisal (focusing on positive aspects) and detached reappraisal (objectively reframing) instructions were counterbalanced in the second and third conditions. The dependent variables were mood and visual fixation. The first prediction was that detached reappraisal would have a more pronounced effect on mood than positive reappraisal. Secondly, I predicted the detached reappraisal and positive reappraisal would result in increases in fixation toward negative images, and that this effect would be greater for detached reappraisal. No significant differences emerged between reappraisal conditions for mood. However, participants using detached reappraisal fixated more on the most negative highly arousing areas of interest as compared with positive reappraisal, p < .001. Furthermore, when participants used positive reappraisal they tended to look away from the most arousing areas of interest.