Cognitive Stress Theory Essay

Although stressors can affect a person physiologically, stress can also affect people’s cognitive, emotional and social systems as well. Two concepts are significant in any psychological stress theory: appraisal, which is the individual’s assessment of something or someone, and coping, which is the individual’s effort to minimise or tolerate stress (Krohne, 2002). The “Theory of Cognitive Appraisal” model was proposed by Lazarus and Folkman to explain the psychological processes which influence the stressors. According to the theory, stress is seen as a two-way process; a relationship between the individual and their environment (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Cognitive apparaisal is divided into primary and secondary appraisal. With primary appraisal,

the stressor is evaluated. If the stressor is seen as threatening, it is viewed as something that will cause harm to the individual. If the stressor is seen as a challenge, the individual will develop a positive stress response because it is perceived as something that will have a positive impact (Krohne, 2002). With secondary appraisal, the feelings of dealing with the stressor and stress are involved. The secondary appraisal can happen at the same time as the primary appraisal and at times, may lead to the primary appraisal.
Coping is the process people do to manage their stress because of the emotional and physical strain that comes with it.

The coping process is not a single event. Instead, it is dynamic and involves ongoing behavioural and cognitive transactions with the environment. According to Lazarus et al. (1984), coping mechanisms can bring about postive coping or can be maladaptive, which means the person has not coped with the stressor or ward it off at all. Emotion-focused coping involves regulating the emotional response in order to tolerate or eliminate the stressor. Regulation of emotional responses can be done through behavioural and cognitive approaches. Some examples of behavioural approaches are using distraction and relaxation. Cognitive approaches include changing the way a person thinks about the stressor and changing the meaning of the stressor through redefinition. People to use emotion-focused approaches when they believe they cannot do anything to change the stressor (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Problem-focused coping involves modifying the behaviour of the person and learning to deal with the stressor. For example, making new study plans and sticking to it. Furthermore, people use problem-focused coping when they believe their resources or the demands of the stressor are changeable (Lazarus & Folkman,

1984).
Coping theories can be classified to two parameters: trait-oriented versus state-oriented, and microanalytic versus macroanalytic approaches (Krohne, 1996). Trait-oriented theories focuses on early identification of a person’s likelihood to not cope well with a specific stressful situation. Early identification will allow the opportunity to establish a succesful and effective prevention programme. State-oriented theories focuses on the actual coping of the person and looks at the outcome of his coping strategies. The aim of this is to lay the foundations for improved coping efficacy. Microanalytic approaches focuses on a large number of concrete and specific coping strategies, while macroanalytic approaches focuses on abstract and fundamental coping strategies.