The preparation impairs the reinterpretation: insights from EEG-based multivariate pattern analysis

Abstract Reinterpretation is one of the primary reappraisal tactics crucial for psychological well-being in emotion regulation (ER). However, it remains unclear how preparatory brain activity influences the temporal dynamics of ER during reinterpretation. Thirty-four young adults involving an adapted ER task, downregulated their negative emotional experiences through reinterpretation. Strategy preparation nearly aligns with strategy use during reactive ER, while preparation precedes use during proactive ER. Behavioral data showed that reactive ER was more effective than proactive ER. Event-related potential (ERP) and decoding results revealed that goal representation engaged attentional resources to maintain regulatory information and suppress irrelevant interference during preparation. This intensive resource allocation may impair the working memory capacity, thereby reducing the regulatory effect in proactive ER. In contrast, reactive ER, unhindered by the preparation stage, preserved sufficient cognitive resources to adaptively re-engage in ER as necessary. Overall, preparation not only influenced the timing of ER but also impeded strategy use. The regulatory effect was determined by the brain activation patterns observed during the regulation stage.