Question

Richard Lazarus's (1993) transactional model emphasizes that there is a transaction between the stressor and a person's appraisal as to whether she or he possesses adequate resources to cope with the stressor. Explain Lazarus three levels of cognitive appraisal (primary, secondary, and cognitive appraisal).

Answer 1

Richard Lazarus model of the transactional model emphasizes stressors, external events causing stress. He focused the transaction of person one level to another in the face of the stressor. According to him, primary appraisal defines the valence of stress. In other words, characterising the stressors as positive or negative. And what action should take

Secondary appraisal lays stress on the coping strategies and ways to overcome the stress. The response given is termed under secondary appraisal.

Cognitive appraisal, on the other hand, is an individual choice or interpretation made to the stimuli. This leads to subjective decision to a particular situation