ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the theories that offer explanations of emotional states based on appraisals and to select those theories to work with in developing theory and conducting a program of research. It presents an overview of the history of emotion theory to explain the proliferation of cognitive appraisal approaches. The purpose of appraisal theories of emotion is to specify the cognitive assessments that give rise to specific emotions within individuals. The study shows that cognitions in the form of coping strategies do affect emotional states. Typical of cognitive approach is Mandler's theory which posits that schema discrepancies are the basis for emotions. Mandler argues that when a stimulus is encountered, it may be easily identified and assimilated based on existing cognitive structures. Finally, consistent with the claims of physiological and facial emotion researchers, cognitive appraisal theorists believe that the assessments of situations are compiled to form appraisal configurations, and that configurations of appraisals lead to complete packages of emotional responses.
