Identifying Microsequences: A New Methodological Approach to the Analysis of Affective Regulatory Processes

Abstract

A new approach for the microanalytic study of cognitive-affective regulatory processes in dyadic interaction is presented. This approach was developed to be used for the investigation of intrapsychic as well as interactive processes in psychotherapy. For methodological reasons spontaneous interactions between longstanding couples were examined first. In this approach the examination of the expressive components of emotions communicated through facial expression is of central importance. Facial behavior is coded with the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) by Ekman and Friesen (1978). The data, including the verbatim text, is represented graphically in the form of a process plot produced by a computer program, and related to models of affective regulatory processes. This method is used to describe short sequences of interaction that are typical for the affective relationship regulation of the two persons involved. Such sequences are designated prototypical affective microsequences. Their role in the affective regulation of interaction will be illustrated using the microsequence “shame trap” as an example. The significance of this approach for the study of psychotherapeutic processes will be discussed.