Which theory holds that a cognitive appraisal is the first step in an emotional response, shaping the entire experience?

Which theory holds that a cognitive appraisal is the first step in an emotional response, shaping the entire experience?

• A. Lazarus theory of emotion
• B. James-Lange theory
• C. Cannon-Bard theory
• D. Schachter-Singer (Two-Factor) theory

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that our interpretation of a situation comes first and largely shapes what we feel. In Lazarus’ cognitive appraisal theory, we evaluate how significant a situation is for our well-being and whether we have the means to cope with it. That appraisal happens before any emotional feeling occurs, and it determines the type and strength of the emotion. For example, if you interpret a sudden noise as a dangerous threat, you’re likely to experience fear; if you interpret it as background noise you might feel little to no emotion. This view is different from the James-Lange idea, which holds that our body’s arousal drives the emotion (you feel afraid because your heart races, not because you first decide it’s dangerous). It also differs from the Cannon-Bard idea, which posits that emotion and arousal happen simultaneously but separately. And it contrasts with the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory, where arousal plus the surrounding situation’s interpretation together determine the emotion. In Lazarus’ account, the initial cognitive appraisal is what sets the entire emotional experience in motion.

The main idea is that our interpretation of a situation comes first and largely shapes what we feel. In Lazarus’ cognitive appraisal theory, we evaluate how significant a situation is for our well-being and whether we have the means to cope with it. That appraisal happens before any emotional feeling occurs, and it determines the type and strength of the emotion. For example, if you interpret a sudden noise as a dangerous threat, you’re likely to experience fear; if you interpret it as background noise you might feel little to no emotion.

This view is different from the James-Lange idea, which holds that our body’s arousal drives the emotion (you feel afraid because your heart races, not because you first decide it’s dangerous). It also differs from the Cannon-Bard idea, which posits that emotion and arousal happen simultaneously but separately. And it contrasts with the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory, where arousal plus the surrounding situation’s interpretation together determine the emotion. In Lazarus’ account, the initial cognitive appraisal is what sets the entire emotional experience in motion.