Cognitive and physiological antecedents of threat and challenge appraisal.

Abstract

Cognitive appraisal theories of stress and emotion propose that cognitive appraisals precede physiological responses, whereas peripheralist theories propose that physiological arousal precedes cognitive processes. Three studies examined this issue regarding threat and challenge responses to potential stress. Study 1 supported cognitive appraisal theory by demonstrating that threat and challenge cognitive appraisals and physiological responses could be elicited experimentally by manipulating instructional set. Studies 2 and 3, in contrast, found that manipulations of physiological response patterns consistent with challenge and threat did not result in corresponding changes in cognitive appraisal. Appraisals in Study 3, however, were related to subjective pain independent of the physiological manipulation. These studies suggest a central role for cognitive appraisal processes in elicitation of threat and challenge responses to potentially stressful situations.

Exploring day-to-day dynamics of daily stressor appraisals, physical symptoms and the cortisol awakening response

“…Primary appraisal evaluates the risks or demands of the situation (i.e., high versus low), while secondary appraisal evaluates the availability of resources and whether anything can be done to alter the outcome. In previous research, a ratio of primary to secondary appraisal has been calculated, which reflects the extent to which these appraisals match one another (Gartland et al, 2014;Schneider, 2008;Tomaka, Blascovich, Kibler, & Ernst, 1997), and is consistent with the theory of primary and secondary appraisal interplay (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Crucially, this ratio provides a way of looking at appraisals which accounts for the specific interaction between one's demands and resources at the point of a single stressor, based on the premise that it is only when demands outweigh resources that a hassle will be experienced as stressful.…”

Investigating the effects of conscientiousness on daily stress, affect and physical symptom processes: A daily diary study

“…Furthermore, this study investigated primary and secondary appraisal as separate variables. In previous research, a ratio of primary to secondary appraisal has been calculated, which reflects the extent to which these appraisals match one another (Schneider, 2008;Tomaka, Blascovich, Kibler, & Ernst, 1997), and is consistent with the theory of primary and secondary appraisal interplay (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984).…”

“…Though appraisals have been studied widely, and there is growing literature to support the relationship between appraisals and stress outcome measures (Gildea, Schneider, & Shebilske, 2007;Schneider, 2004;Smith, Haynes, Lazarus, & Pope, 1993;Tomaka, Blascovich, Kelsey, & Leitten, 1993;Tomaka et al, 1997), this is the first study that we know of that concurrently measures personality, daily hassle appraisals, and outcome measures. Furthermore, the concurrent measurement of daily appraisals and positive affect is novel to this area of research.…”

The effect of communication skills training on residents’ physiological arousal in a breaking bad news simulated task

“…These heightened cardiovascular responses however were not systematically associated with subjective stress measures [9]. It is therefore essential to consider the subjective quality of responses when studying the impact of a task on physiological measures [13,14]. Physiological measures alone do not allow distinguishing physiological arousal as a sign of cognitive and emotional effort (investment of resources in order to perform a task) or of cognitive and emotional overload (and therefore of stress) [15].…”