Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Question 1

Appraisal definition?

Answer 1

An assessment or evaluation of stimuli.

Question 2

Primary appraisal definition?

Answer 2

The initial process of evaluating the nature of an incoming stressor,
specifically the kind of stress it might cause

Question 3

3 initial ways the stressor can be appraised?

Answer 3

• Benign-positive
• Stressful
• Irrelevant

Question 4

Benign-positive definition?

Answer 4

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as
neutral or good that does not cause stress for the individual.

Question 5

Irrelevant definition?

Answer 5

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as
a non-issue for the individual.

Question 6

Stressful definition?

Answer 6

An initial appraisal of a stimulus
as a source of worry or emotional significance for the individual.

Question 7

Harm/loss defintion?

Answer 7

A further appraisal of a stressor as having caused some damage to the individual.

Question 8

If this initial component of primary appraisal evaluates an incoming stimulus as ‘stressful’ what are the three further ways the stressor can be appraised?

Answer 8

• Harm/loss
• Threat
• Challenge

Question 9

Threat definition?

Answer 9

A further appraisal of a stressor as potentially causing damage to the
individual in the future.

Question 10

Challenge definition?

Answer 10

A further appraisal of a stressor as
potentially providing a positive opportunity for growth or change for
the individual.

Question 11

Secondary appraisal definition?

Answer 11

The process of evaluating the resources required and available in order to cope with a stressor.

Question 12

What are the assessments available for the resources for coping?

Answer 12

• not enough resources available
• coping resources are adequate (problem focused or emotion focused)

Question 13

Coping definition?

Answer 13

The process of dealing with a stressor.

Question 14

Emotion-focused coping definition?

Answer 14

The use of coping strategies that target the emotional components
of a stressor, dealing with it indirectly rather than confronting its source.

Question 15

Problem-focused coping definition?

Answer 15

The use of coping strategies that directly target the source of the stressor, aiming to reduce it in a practical way.

Question 16

what are emotion focused coping strategies?

Answer 16

• wishful thinking
• denial
• reframing
• optimism
• venting emotions
• meditation/distraction

Question 17

what are problem focused coping strategies?

Answer 17

• seeking info or advice
• taking action
• time management

Question 18

Strengths of the L&F ?

Answer 18

• Allows one to track the subjective stress response of an individual.
• Allows for consideration of cognitive
  processes within the stress response,
  which the biological models do not take into account.
• Human subjects were used as a source of data during the creation of the model.
• Helps to explain why the same
  stressor may have different effects on different people.
• Coping stage (emotion and problem- focused strategies) provides suggestions for dealing with a stressor.

Question 19

Limitations of the L&F ?

Answer 19

• Some argue that the stages of primary and secondary appraisal can occur simultaneously, and so ordering them chronologically may not always be reflective of the true stress response.
• Individuals are not necessarily aware of why they feel certain kinds of stress, as suggested by primary appraisal.
• Does not include biological processes of stress, when in practice stress is a combination of both biological and psychological factors.
• Cannot easily be tested by research,
  due to a lack of empirical evidence to support the model.