1. A Cognitive Theory of Emotion
Appraisal Theory
A Cognitive Theory of Emotion
Exactly… How much thinking will be involved?

2. Magna Arnold Critic of James
Distinguished between Mere Perception and Emotional Perception (Sense Judgments)

3. Affect Without Inference
Robert Zajonc
Argued that appraisal (as defined by Lazarus) is not necessary
Evidence
Mere Exposure
Facial Feedback Hypothesis

4. Proposes that emotion is produced by a specific pattern of appraisal
Cognitive – Motivational – Relational Theory of Emotion (Richard Lazarus)
Proposes that emotion is produced by a specific pattern of appraisal

5. CMRT: Basic Principles
Appraisal is necessary and sufficient for the experience of emotion
Appraisal
A form of personal meaning consisting of evaluations of the significance of this knowledge for well-being

6. CMRT: Basic Principles
Emotion
Appraisal
Perception of Change
Principle 2
Emotions are responses to changes in person-environment relationship

7. Core Relational Themes
Individual appraisal components that combine to reveal a larger “relational meaning” of the person-environment encounter which underlie each specific emotion
Primary Appraisal
Determines whether the event is helpful or harmful to well being
Secondary Appraisal
Identifies cause and determines coping abilities

8. EVENT EMOTION NO EMOTION positive negative
Happiness/Joy
Pride
Anger
Sadness
Evaluates the harmful or beneficial nature of event
Primary Appraisal
Identifies blame or credit AND coping strategies
Secondary Appraisal

10. Core Relational Themes
A demeaning offense against others
Facing uncertain threat
Facing an immediate, concrete, overwhelming physical danger
Transgressing a moral imperative
Making progress toward the realization of a goal
Anger
Anxiety
Fear
Guilt
Happiness