ABSTRACT
Throughout this book we have seen evidence pertaining to a close and intimate relationship between justice perceptions and emotions. In Chapters 2, 3, and 4 we explored the literature demonstrating that (in)justice perceptions give rise to a range of emotional states. In Chapter 5 we turned this causal ordering around, finding that both moods and emotions induce, or at least influence, fairness judgments. There is a bit more to the story, however. Emotions often convey messages to other people (Diefendorff & Gosserand, 2003; Morris & Keltner, 2000). There are some messages that we may not wish to send, such as when salespeople try to conceal their irritation from demanding customers or when counselors try to veil their sadness at their clients’ suffering (Grandey, 2003; Pugh, 2002). There are also some messages that we do not want to send to ourselves, such as when some events make more salient some fundamental threats that we prefer not to focus on-terror of death for instance (Becker, 1971; 1973; 1975). Emotional regulation is indeed necessary for our own well-being. The inability to effectively manage and regulate our feelings is linked to poor mental health (e.g., Gross & Muñoz, 1995; Kokkonen & Kinnunen, 2006; Vingerhoets, Nyklicek, & Denollet, 2008). Consequently, there are at least two reasons for people to engage in emotional regulation-it makes it easier to work with other people, and it improves psychological well-being.
