Secondary Appraisal: A Review
Secondary appraisal is a cognitive process that people use to assess a situation and make decisions. It is a form of problem solving that involves understanding the cause and effect, implications, and consequences of an event or action. This review explores the concept of secondary appraisal and how it is used to make decisions.
Definition
Secondary appraisal is a cognitive process in which people assess a given situation in order to understand how it affects them and make decisions. It is a form of problem solving that involves understanding the cause and effect, implications, and consequences of an event or action. It is a way of understanding the situation and how it relates to the individual, rather than just its implications.
Background
The concept of secondary appraisal has been studied since the 1950s. Early research on the concept focused on its role in emotion and decision-making. Research has shown that it is an important factor in how people respond to stress and is used to understand the implications of a situation and make decisions.
The cognitive process of secondary appraisal is divided into three stages. The first stage is the appraisal of the situation, which involves understanding the cause and effect, implications, and consequences of the event or action. The second stage is the evaluation of the consequences, which is used to understand the implications of the situation for the individual. The third stage is the decision-making stage, which involves assessing the implications of the situation and making a decision.
Research
Research has shown that secondary appraisal is an important factor in how people respond to stress. It has been found to be associated with increased psychological well-being and better decision-making. It has also been found to be associated with increased empathy and social support.
In addition, research has shown that secondary appraisal is related to problem solving skills. It has been found to be associated with improved problem solving skills, such as creativity and the ability to think outside of the box.
Finally, research has also shown that secondary appraisal is related to increased self-efficacy. It has been found to be associated with increased self-confidence and the ability to make decisions with confidence.
Conclusion
Secondary appraisal is an important cognitive process that people use to assess a situation and make decisions. It is a form of problem solving that involves understanding the cause and effect, implications, and consequences of an event or action. Research has shown that it is an important factor in how people respond to stress and is associated with increased psychological well-being and better decision-making.
References
Boucher, H. C., & Kuhl, J. (1991). Secondary appraisal in emotion: A cognitive-developmental analysis. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–241. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.98.2.224
Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Blanton, H., & Russell, D. W. (2002). Secondary appraisal processes in coping with stress. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(11), 1539–1547. doi:10.1177/01461672022811013
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York, NY: Springer.
Sutton, J., & Davidson, R. J. (1997). Prefrontal brain activity and secondary appraisal of emotional events. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(2), 231–237. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.106.2.231