According to Lazarus, what comes between the stimulus and emotional response to that stimulus to mediate?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is Cognitive appraisal.
4. Cognitive appraisal: According to Lazarus's theory, emotions are mediated by how we cognitively evaluate a stimulus. The emotional response is determined by whether we appraise a situation as threatening, challenging, or irrelevant, and whether we feel we have the resources to handle it.

Information Booster

Lazarus's theory of stress, also called the Cognitive Appraisal Theory, suggests that stress arises not from the external events themselves, but from how we perceive and evaluate those events. The theory emphasizes that cognitive appraisal is the key factor that mediates the emotional response to a situation.

Lazarus proposed a transactional model of stress, where stress is a dynamic process involving the interaction between the person and their environment. According to this model, the outcome of stress depends on how we appraise the situation (i.e., how we evaluate its significance and our ability to cope with it).

Key Components of the Theory:

Primary Appraisal:
This is the initial assessment of an event. We ask ourselves whether the situation is irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful. If it's stressful, it is further appraised as a threat, challenge, or harm/loss.
For example, when facing an exam, you may appraise it as a challenge if you feel prepared, or as a threat if you feel unprepared.

Secondary Appraisal:
After the primary appraisal, we evaluate whether we have the resources to cope with the stressor. This might include evaluating our skills, time, emotional support, or other resources. If we believe we can handle the situation, the stress response may be reduced.

Coping:
Coping is how we manage the stress that arises. Lazarus identifies two types of coping strategies:
-Problem-focused coping: Involves attempting to address or eliminate the stressor.
-Emotion-focused coping: Involves managing the emotional response to the stressor (e.g., seeking social support, relaxation techniques).

Transactional Nature of Stress:
Stress is not a passive reaction to an external stimulus but an active interaction between the individual and their environment. Different people may experience different emotional responses to the same event based on their cognitive appraisal of the situation.