Patterns of cognitive appraisal in emotion.

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Abstract
Reviews reasons why the 2 emotional dimensions of pleasantness and arousal are the only ones found consistently across studies. Two theories of emotions by I. Roseman (1984) and K. R. Sherer (see record 1984-19281-001) are integrated with the review to develop a model to differentiate emotional experience. This model was tested in a within-Ss design with 16 undergraduates who were asked to recall past experiences associated with each of 15 emotions and rate them along the 2 proposed dimensions. Six orthogonal dimensions—pleasantness, anticipated effort, certainty, attentional activity, self–other responsibility/control, and situational control—were identified. The emotions varied systematically along these dimensions, indicating a strong relationship between the appraisal of circumstances and emotional state. The strength of this relationship was demonstrated in a discriminant analysis in which the 15 emotions were correctly predicted over 40% of the time on the basis of the corresponding patterns of cognitive appraisal. It is suggested that if it is known how an individual sees his/her environment, it is easier to identify that individual's emotional state; conversely, if it is known what an individual is feeling, much can be deduced about how that individual is interpreting his/her circumstances. (59 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

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