Which concept refers to cultural rules about which emotions are appropriate in different situations?

• A. Display Rules
• B. Mask
• C. Minimize
• D. Neutralize

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how cultural norms shape emotional expression. Display rules are the cultural expectations about when, where, and how it’s appropriate to show certain emotions in different situations. They determine what you’re allowed or not allowed to display publicly, and they vary across cultures and contexts—explaining why people regulate their expressions differently in the same moment. The other terms describe techniques for regulating expression rather than the social norms themselves: a mask is about disguising true feelings with a different facial expression; minimize and neutralize involve reducing how strongly or how visibly emotion is expressed. So, the concept that captures cultural rules about emotional appropriateness is display rules.