Concept

Appraisal Theories of Emotion

Appraisal theories of emotion propose that cognitive processes, specifically our thoughts or appraisals about a situation, are the primary determinants of our emotional experience. According to this perspective, an emotion is not a direct reaction to an event, but rather a response to our interpretation of that event. The specific emotion we feel is contingent on our appraisal; a positive evaluation of a situation will lead to positive emotions, while a negative evaluation will result in negative emotions. This framework explains individual differences in emotional responses to the same stimulus.

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Updated 2025-10-10

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