Cognitive Appraisal
Definition
Cognitive appraisal refers to the personal interpretation of a situation; it's how an individual views a situation. There are two stages in cognitive appraisal - primary appraisal (initial evaluation concerning whether there is any associated threat) & secondary appraisal (consideration given as to how well one can cope with the situation).
Analogy
Cognitive appraisal is like being a movie critic inside your own head. You're constantly reviewing situations you encounter in your life, deciding whether they're good or bad (primary appraisal), and then figuring out how to handle them (secondary appraisal).
Related terms
Stress: A state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
Coping Mechanisms: Strategies that people use to deal with stressful situations.
Emotion-focused Coping: A type of stress management that attempts to reduce negative emotional responses associated with stress.
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