Cognitive Theories: Lazarus Mediational Theory of Emotion

Richard Lazarus's cognitive mediational theory emphasizes the role of cognitive interpretation or appraisal. This appraisal mediates between the stimulus and the emotional response, which is immediate and often unconscious.

The key idea of this theory is that an emotional response is shaped by the cognitive appraisal of the stimulus, such as values, goals, beliefs, and expectations that trigger the emotion.

For instance, if a person encounters a snarling dog, the initial appraisal will dictate their emotional reaction.

If the dog is behind a secure fence, the appraisal might be "no threat," leading to minimal arousal and possibly just annoyance.

Conversely, if the dog is not confined, it would likely be appraised as a "dangerous threatening animal." This interpretation would then trigger increased arousal and the experience of fear.

Some researchers criticize this theory, arguing that emotional reactions can occur so rapidly that there might be little to no time for cognitive appraisal to take place first, such as shrieking upon detecting a snake.