The cognitive appraisal model presupposes that interaction among appraisal variables is a factor affecting intensity of emotional reaction during stressful encounters. Emotional reaction to ongoing coping difficulties is assumed to increase as a function of the level of stakes in the encounter. However, the few available studies do not support this assumption. In the present work, factors affecting the appraisal of a real-life stressful encounter (i.e. an intelligence test of progressive difficulty) were manipulated independently, using a mixed, within- and between-subjects design. Results indicated that intensity of emotional reaction was affected primarily by test difficulty, with test relevance and improvement options providing marginally significant main- or interaction effects. The results suggest a focal-effect model in which emotional reaction is affected by the most salient appraisal factor rather than an interaction-based model of cognitive appraisal.
Relationships between Appraisal Factors during Stressful Encounters: A Test of Alternative Models
Reprints and Corporate Permissions
Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?
To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:
Academic Permissions
Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?
Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:
If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.
Related research
People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.
Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.
Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.