Lecture 11 - Cognitive factors in emotion Flashcards
(lecture):
Describe appraisal theory.
(lecture) :
- The basic claim of all appraisal theories is that emotion is based on an appraisal of the meaning and significance of an event
- Lazarus is one of the most influential appraisal theorists
- He (Lazarus, 1991) distinguished between
> primary appraisal (“whether something of relevance to the person’s well-being has occurred” [p. 133])
> secondary appraisal (“concerns coping options – that is, whether any given action might prevent harm, ameliorate it, or produce additional harm or benefit” [p. 133])
> reappraisal (“distinguished from appraisal only by coming later” and by the fact that it includes “appraisals that are constructed by the mind to regulate emotional distress or protect one’s ego-identity” [p. 134])
(lecture):
Describe Lazarus’ 6 appraisal components
(lecture):
Primary appraisal
- goal relevance (cf. Frijda’s [1988] law of concern: “Emotions arise in response to events that are important to the individual’s goals, motives, or concerns” [p. 351])
- goal congruence or incongruence
- type of ego-involvement (e.g., self-esteem, or moral values, or life goals)
Secondary appraisal
- blame or credit (who is accountable or responsible?)
- coping potential (how can I deal with this situation?)
- future expectancy (are things likely to change for better or worse?)
(lecture):
Describe 2 studies that answer this question:
Is emotion caused by appraisal?
What are the problems of these lines of evidence?
(lecture):
Empirical evidence:
Laboratory experiments
e.g., Speisman et al. (1964)
(see slide 7-8)
Correlational studies
e.g., Smith and Ellsworth (1985)
(see slide 9-10)
Problems:
In experimental research
- often no measure of appraisal
- what is it exactly that is being manipulated?
- strength of emotion is shown to vary, not the quality
In correlational research
- no manipulation
- often dependent on memory
- are we aware of ongoing appraisals?
- what about emotions with sudden onset?
(lecture):
Read slides 12-17
(lecture):
(lecture study question 1):
What is the key difference between Schachter’s two-factor theory and Lazarus’ appraisal theory with respect to the role of cognition in the emotion process?
(lecture study question 1):
(lecture study question 2):
What are the three main types of appraisal, according to Lazarus?
(lecture study question 2):
(lecture study question 3):
What is the difference between ‘goal relevance’ and goal congruence’, according to Lazarus, and how do these appraisals influence emotion?
(lecture study question 3):
(lecture study question 4):
What are the strengths and weaknesses of experimental versus correlational studies of the appraisal–emotion relation?
(lecture study question 4):
(lecture study question 5):
On what grounds did Zajonc object to the idea that appraisals are the basis of emotion?
(lecture study question 5):
