The 'cognitive appraisal theory' model was proposed by Lazarus and Folkman in 1984. 

According to Richard Lazarus, stress is a two-way process.

This process involves the presence of stressors in the environment and the individual's response to these stressors.

This concept led to the cognitive appraisal theory.

What is cognitive assessment?

Lazarus said that cognitive appraisal occurs when a person evaluates two important factors that contribute to their stress response. These two factors are

• The threatening nature of the stressor to the individual, and
• The resources needed to minimise, tolerate or eliminate the stressor and its effects.

In general, cognitive appraisal is divided into two stages: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal.

Primary evaluation

In the primary assessment phase, an individual tends to ask questions such as "What does this stressor and/or situation mean?" and "How might this affect me?

According to psychologists, the three typical responses to these questions are:

• "It doesn't matter"
• "It's a good sign"
• "It's stressful"

To better understand primary evaluation, suppose there is a sudden downpour of rain where you are. You might think it is no big deal because you have no plans to go anywhere today. Or you might think it's a good thing because you don't have to get up early to go to school because classes are cancelled. Or you might find it stressful because you have planned a group trip with your friends.

Once you've answered these two questions, the second part of the primary cognitive appraisal involves assessing whether the stressor or situation is a threat, a challenge or a disadvantage. If you perceive the stressor as a threat, you perceive it as something that will cause future harm, such as failing exams or getting fired. If you perceive it as a challenge, you develop a positive response to the stressor because you expect it to lead you to a better grade or a better job.

On the other hand, perceiving the stressor as harm means that the harm has already happened, as in the case of a person who has had a leg amputated or been in a car accident.

Secondary evaluation

Unlike other theories where the steps are usually sequential, secondary appraisal takes place at the same time as primary appraisal. In fact, in some cases, secondary appraisal becomes the cause of primary appraisal.

Secondary appraisals include emotions arising from stress.

Saying "I can succeed if I try my best", "I will try all my chances of success", and "If this method fails, I can always try another" are the hallmarks of positive secondary appraisal.

In contrast, 'I can't do it, I know I'll fail', 'I won't do it because no one believes I can' and 'I won't try because my chances are slim' are the hallmarks of a negative secondary appraisal.

Although primary and secondary appraisals are often the result of contact with a stressor, stress is not always triggered by a cognitive appraisal.

For example, if a person is caught up in a sudden disaster such as an earthquake, they may not have time to think about it and still feel stressed by the situation.