Lazarus and folkman's transactional model of stress and coping

Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping diagram

(see book)

appraisals

Rapid-fire intuitions to answer a series of crucial questions. (like judgments)

reappraisals

subsequent intuitions

Primary Appraisal

the initial process of evaluating the nature of an incoming stressor, specifically the kind of stress it might cause

benign positive (L+F)

an initial appraisal of a stimulus as neutral or good that does not cause stress for the individual

irrelevant (L+F)

an initial appraisal of a stimulus as a non-issue for the individual

stressful (L+F)

an initial appraisal of a stimulus as a source of worry or emotional significance for the individual

harm/loss (L+F)

a further appraisal of a stressor as having caused some damage to the individual

threat (L+F)

a further appraisal of a stressor as potentially causing damage to the individual in the future

challenge (L+F)

a further appraisal of a stressor as potentially providing a positive opportunity for growth or change for the individual

Secondary Appraisal

the process of evaluating the resources required and available in order to cope with a stressor (internal + external resources)

outcome (L+F)

demands of stressor less than coping resources = no stress

demands of stressor greater than coping resources = stress

strengths of L+F

• allows one to track the subjective stress response of an individualallows for consideration of cognitive processes within the stress response

• human subjects were used as a source of data during the creation of the model

• helps to explain why the same stressor may have different effects on different people

limitations of L+F

• some argue that the stages of primary and secondary appraisal can occur simultaneously, so ordering them chronologically may not be reflective of the true stress response

• individuals are not necessarily aware of why they feel certain kinds of stress, as suggested by primary appraisal

• does not include biological processes

• cannot easily be tested by research