Graduate School of Informatics /Cognitive Sciences

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Borabay Kadirdağ will defend his thesis.

Title: THE EFFECTS OF COGNITIVE REAPPARISAL & EXPRESSIVE SUPPRESSION ON EXAM PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Date: 26th November 2018

Time: 11:30 AM

Place: A-212

Thesis Abstract : The main objective of this thesis is to examine the effect of cognitive (re-)appraisal and expressive suppression and on exam performance in Turkish university students. The study is based on the appraisal-tendency framework of Lerner and Keltner (2000) which defines cognitive appraisal as cognitive meaning making that leads to emotions, (Lerner, Li, Valdesolo, & Kassam, 2015). Expressive suppression, on the other hand, is defined as an aspect of emotional regulation where individuals mask their facial giveaways to hide their emotional states (Niedenthal, P. M., Ric, F., & Krauth-Gruber, S. 2006). Based on the cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression abilities of the students, their affective responses (PANAS) to anxiety before and after watching a video of a stressful scene were measured to find out if there is an effect of the emotional regulation abilities to exam performances of the students. 63 students with medium-level of exam anxiety based on the Test Anxiety Questionnaire (Nist & Diehl, 1990) participated. Results of the emotional regulation abilities suggest that expressive suppression has a significant effect on exam performances. Those students who suppressed the expression of their emotions less could increase their exam scores as measured in two exams at the beginning and end of the term. The responses based on PANAS scores indicate no significant difference of emotional regulation abilities on exam performance. Keywords: emotion, exam anxiety, emotional regulation, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression