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Abstract
Surprise is a cognitive emotion both informing us that an actual event we have met is contrary to our expectation and motivating us to find the reasons for such discrepancy. Reflection often starts with the identification and examination of a surprising event. It is the gateway to reflective learning. This paper further examines the key features of surprise, the various associated cognitive and emotional processes, and types of responses to surprise. It provides a framework for examining a surprising event as a pedagogical tool for social work educators and students. In sharing a piece of memorable surprise experienced by the author, it brings out the interactive and contextual nature of surprise in social work practice and education. In conclusion, the paper suggests other possible pedagogical functions of surprise.