Explanations > Theories > Appraisal Theory Show Description | Example | So What? | See also | References DescriptionThings happen. We appraise them, assessing them against various criteria. We then feel emotions based on those appraisals. We do this in real-time, appraising and feeling as we go. We also do in reflectively, thinking further about what has happened and what may happen. When we think of the past or future we hence may feel good or bad about it. Primary appraisal is an assessment of how significant an event is for a person, including whether it is a threat or opportunity. Secondary appraisal then considers one's ability to cope or take advantage of the situation. A structural model of appraisal describes the relationships between:
A process model of appraisal describes the detail of cognitive operations, mechanisms and dynamics by which the appraisal happens. In other words, the structural model is the static map and the process model is the dynamic operation. This is a cognitive approach to understanding emotions. Other theories view emotion as more reactive, without the opportunity to think. Indeed, we sometimes do not get the chance to think, for example when a fierce creature leaps out at us and we react with animal instinct that short-circuits the slower cortical appraisal. However, such reactive emotion is not necessarily how we feel in all situations. Originated in the 1940s by Magda Arnold, research was taken up in the 1970s by Richard Lazarus. Appraisal Theory is a Cognitive Appraisal Theory. It is also known as Lazarus Theory, after the originator. ExampleI see someone running towards me. I don't recognize them and feel afraid they may be going attack me. Then I recognize them as a friend, reappraise the situation and feel a sequence of relief and joy. So What?Using itDesign your interactions with others to create the appraisal and consequent emotions that you desire in them. You can also work backwards from their apparent emotions to discover their appraisal (maybe also you could ask questions to elicit this). Reframing is a common way of changing how people appraise and react to the things. DefendingWhen you feel something, rather than just reacting quickly reflect on what appraisal you made that led you to that feeling. If you change the appraisal, you can change how you feel. See alsoCognitive Appraisal Theories of Emotion, Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion, James-Lange Theory of Emotion, Two-Factor Theory of Emotion ReferencesLazarus, R.S. (1991). Progress on a cognitive-motivational-relational theory of Emotion. American Psychologist, 46(8), 819-834. Scherer, K.R., Shorr, A. and Johnstone, T. (Ed.). (2001). Appraisal processes in emotion: theory, methods, research. Canary, NC: Oxford University Press Chapter 4: Cognitive Appraisal Theory A cognitive appraisal is our interpretation of the eliciting event and of our bodily reactions to the eliciting event. Remember, cognitive appraisal could occur unconsciously, as James-Lange suggested, or consciously, as Schachter-Singer discussed. Many appraisal dimensions exist (for examples, refer to Scherer (1997) study in last chapter here). For instance, is the emotion caused by an internal or external event? Is the eliciting event moral or immoral? In general, cognitive appraisal theorists have noticed that people experience different emotions in response to the same eliciting event. This led them to think about how people interpret eliciting events differently, ultimately leading them to experience different emotions. Of course, for some emotional experiences such as joy (Scherer, 1997), most people experience the same cognitive appraisals and thus the same emotion. Two Views of Cognitive Appraisal Theory Currently, two views describe the connection between cognitive appraisals and emotions. The first view is that cognitive appraisals cause the emotion. This view suggests that the way we interpret the eliciting event determines our emotions. Thus, different interpretations of the same eliciting event could cause people to experience different emotions. For instance, if we interpret an eliciting event as unexpected – then we might experience fear. If we conclude that someone is blocking out goal, then we would experience anger. The second view is that emotions cause appraisal. From this view, cognitive appraisals occur after the felt emotion (after physiological and behavior changes). For example, we might hear a gunshot and experience fear, which is then followed by cognitive appraisals of unexpectedness and ability to cope. Alternatively, we might feel angry and not know why – so we look for a reason. Maybe we determine our friend gossiped about us and make the appraisal of external causation and goal obstruction. Are appraisals universal or socially constructed? As discussed in the past chapter, basic emotions researchers believe cognitive appraisals are universal. This view would suggest that the same emotional experience causes us to experience the same cognitive appraisals. As discussed in Scherer (1997), participants did report the same cognitive appraisals across countries when they recalled a time they felt joy. Similar to the autonomic sensitivity hypothesis for arousal, basic emotions theorists are looking for universal cognitive appraisal patterns association with unique emotions. Social constructivist theorists, unlike basic emotions researchers, would claim that people can appraise the same eliciting event in different ways, causing them to experience different emotions. And Scherer’s (1997) study in fact found cultural differences in the cognitive appraisals people reported when calling specific emotional experiences. So, who is right? Read the next section to find out! What is appraisal theory of emotions?Appraisal theory of emotion proposes that emotions or emotional components are caused and differentiated by an appraisal of the stimulus as mis/matching with goals and expectations, as easy/difficult to control, and as caused by others, themselves or impersonal circumstances.
What does it mean to appraise a theory?Appraisal theory is the theory in psychology that emotions are extracted from our evaluations (appraisals or estimates) of events that cause specific reactions in different people. Essentially, our appraisal of a situation causes an emotional, or affective, response that is going to be based on that appraisal.
What is social appraisal theory?The notion of social appraisal emphasizes the importance of a social dimension in appraisal theories of emotion by proposing that the way an individual appraises an event is influenced by the way other individuals appraise and feel about the same event.
What is stress appraisal theory?Stress appraisal theory considers how individual differences play a critical role in assessing stressors and determining appropriate coping responses. By understanding how stress is appraised, one obtains information about the best methods for coping with stress.
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