According to appraisal theory, emotions arise when an individual attends to and evaluates (appraises) a situation as being relevant to a particular type of currently active goal (Lazarus, 1991; Scherer, Schorr, & Johnstone, 2001). The goals that underlie this evaluation may be enduring (staying alive) or transient (wanting another piece of cake). They may be conscious and complicated (aspiring to become a professor) or unconscious and simple (trying to avoid stepping in puddles). They may be widely shared (having close friends) or highly idiosyncratic (finding a new way of tying one’s shoes). Whatever the goal, and whatever meaning the situation has in light of the goal, it is this meaning that gives rise to emotion. As this meaning changes over time—due either to changes in the situation itself or changes in the meaning the situation holds for the individual—the emotion will also change.

Further Details