In this paper, we sought to understand the biological mechanisms of emotions, so that we could learn more about how emotions work. Previous research has linked the brain and emotion in structures such as the postcentral gyrus, the posterior parietal cortex, and the orbitofrontal cortex. In our first (correlational) study, we tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a one-week period. We measured postcentral gyrus functioning by the Two Point Discrimination Test, posterior parietal cortex functioning by using the PEBL Connections Test, orbitofrontal cortex functioning by using the Go-NoGo task, positive emotions by evaluating external stimuli for emotional response, perfectionism by a Negative Perfectionism questionnaire, and emotional dysregulation with an emotional dysregulation questionnaire. Based on the strength of correlation found between orbitofrontal cortex functioning and emotional dysregulation in our correlational study, we then conducted a second experimental study to test for a causal relationship between these two variables. Over a one-week period, participants alternated each day to either a meditative condition or a non-meditative condition and measured the effect this manipulation had upon emotional dysregulation. Data pooled across participants in our correlational study showed a positive correlation between emotion dysregulation and orbitofrontal cortex functioning, but no significant correlation between postcentral gyrus functioning and positive emotion nor between posterior parietal functioning and negative perfectionism. Data pooled across participants in our experimental study showed no significant difference in emotional dysregulation between days participants meditated and days participants did not meditate. A potential practical application of our correlational study would be the use of the Go-NoGo task to predict emotional dysregulation. While our studies were not successful in finding a way to help control our emotions, they did further our understanding of emotions by showing aspects that were correlated, or not, with the functioning of particular brain areas.
