Lazarus: Primary and secondary appraisal
According to Lazarus' cognitive-mediational theory, upon encountering a stressor, a person judges its potential threat (via primary appraisal) and then determines if effective options are available to manage the situation (via secondary appraisal). Stress is likely to result if a stressor is perceived as threatening and few or no effective coping options are available.
A stressor leads to primary appraisal. If the stressor is perceived as a challenge it is a potential for gain or growth. If it is perceived as a threat it may lead to harm, loss, or negative consequences, which initiates secondary appraisal of potential options and their effectiveness. If there are effective options the perceived threat is low, if there are ineffective or no options the perceived threat is high.
Source
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"CNX Psychology, Psychology. July 28, 2015."
http://cnx.org/contents/4abf04bf-93a0-45c3-9cbc-2cefd46e68cc@4.100:83/Psychology
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