Appraisal Theories of Emotion Flashcards
What is appraisal theories?
Focus on cognitive process
- Cognitive appraisals mediate the relation between stimuli and emotion
- Stimuli, appraisal, physiological response and emotion
- Evaluate the environment effect on well-being , and individual concerns
What causes emotions in appraisal theories?
Our cognitive evaluations of situations
- Perception and interpretations effect our view on our feelings
Appraisal Theories - Historical Overview
- Emotions as a type of judgment
- Object-directed emotion
I was angry because of - A purely biological take does not give the full picture
- Opened the door of normative discussions of emotions
Normative discussions - Emotions can be
- Misplaces and Inappropriate
- We make those judgements all the time
Incongruent Effect
- Emotions are the opposite of what to be expected
- Detachment
- Excessive emotions
What are the two shared beliefs by appraisal theories?
- Emotions occur in relation to cognitive appraisal of an antecedent event
- Appraisal cause the emotion
Arnold’s Appraisal Theory - Emotion
- Tendency as beneficial or harmful
- Physiological pattern towards avoid or approach
- The patterns are different for different emotions
Arnold’s Appraisal Theory - Model
- Situation
Live event, stimuli - Appraisal
Good vs Bad - automatic - Emotion
Liking vs Disliking - Action
Approach or withdrawal
Arnold’s Appraisal Theory - Perception to Appraisal
- A bodily appraisal of the situation
Reflexes
Limbic system evaluates emotional significance of a sensory stimuli - A cognitive appraisal
Conscious action
Cortical regions activated for HOC
Arnold’s Appraisal Theory - Appraisal to Emotion
- Situation gets evaluated
- Subjective experiences follows
Arnold’s Appraisal Theory - Emotion to Action
- Emotion elicit motivational tendencies to avoid or approach
Lazarus Appraisal Theory - Differentiation
Extension on Arnold’s theory
- Focus on differentiation of good vs bad appraisals
- Appraisal of a life event, seen as either benefit, harm, or threat, gives emotion
Core Relational Themes
There is specific appraisals with each emotions
Example; the appraisal of threat is the core relational theme of fear
Core Relational Themes - Anger
A demeaning offense against me and mine
Core Relational Themes - Anxiety
Uncertain, existential threat
Core Relational Themes - Hope
Fearing the worst but yearning for better
Lazarus Appraisal Theory - Appraisal Patterns
- Primary appraisal = Situation Relevance
- Secondary Appraisal = Coping
Lazarus Appraisal Theory - Primary appraisal
- Goal Relevance
No relevance, no emotion - Goal congruence/incongruence (negative emotion)
Is the situational transaction consistent with my goals? - Ego-identity
Appraisal of violation of moral values
Can be irrelevant for some emotions
Lazarus Appraisal Theory - Secondary Appraisal
- Blame or credit
Who is responsible? If relevant - Coping potential
Can I cope? - Future expectancy
Better or worse?
Appraisal Theories - Strenght
Emotion differentiation
- Why we experience different emotions to the same situation
- Different types of appraisals
Appraisal Theories - Criticism
- Too much focus on conscious and voluntary processes
- Emotions in infants?
- What if my emotion goes against my judgement?
- Emotions happens before judgment at times
- Are appraisal really the cause of emotion, or function as intensifier?
Compare and contrast the appraisal theories
Lazarus:
- Focused on goals, dynamic process and individuality
Arnold
- Universal, body arousal and learned experiences
What does appraisal theories offer for understanding of emotion regulation?
- Understanding peoples poor emotion management
- Increase awareness
- Why we react the way we do cuz of our emotions?
- Cognitive restructuring with strategies and finding out underlying causes
- Increase emotional Intelligence and knowledge
