Psychological Distancing in the Development of Executive Function and Emotion Regulation

Abstract Within developmental psychology, the concept of psychological distancing captures the phenomenon that human beings can step back and withhold an immediate response, survey the environment, and reflect on a course of action instead of being dominated by immediate stimulation. In this chapter, we focus on the role that psychological distancing plays in the development of self-regulation. Our purpose in taking this approach is to highlight linkages between cognitive and emotional aspects of self-regulation. We begin by summarizing some classical views of psychological distancing and how they inform our understanding of self-regulation. We then examine the role of executive function in the development of psychological distancing. Specifically, we concentrate on how improvements in executive control facilitate the development of emotion regulation. Drawing on Irving Sigel's theory, the final section examines the role of social interaction, and in particular parent–child interaction, as the context in which psychological distancing and the development of self-regulation occur.