Arrange the following sentences as per the Cognitive Theory of Stress given by Lazarus:
A. The appraisals are very subjective and will depend on past experiences of the subject.
B. The perception of stress depends on the individual cognitive approach of events and resources available to deal with them.
C. Primary appraisal refers to the perception of a new or changing environment as positive, neutral or negative in its consequences.
D. When we perceive an event as stressful, we are likely to make a secondary appraisal.
E. Lazarus distinguished between two types of appraisals.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B, E, C, D, A
B. The perception of stress depends on the individual cognitive approach of events and resources available to deal with them. — The theory opens with its main idea: stress depends on how a person appraises the events and the resources available.
E. Lazarus distinguished between two types of appraisals. — The appraisal is of two types, primary and secondary.
C. Primary appraisal refers to the perception of a new or changing environment as positive, neutral or negative in its consequences. — The first type: how the event itself is seen; negative events are appraised for harm, threat or challenge.
D. When we perceive an event as stressful, we are likely to make a secondary appraisal. — The second type follows the first: an assessment of one’s coping abilities and resources against the harm, threat or challenge.
A. The appraisals are very subjective and will depend on past experiences of the subject. — Last comes what both appraisals depend on, such as the past experience of dealing with similar situations and whether the event is seen as controllable.
NCERT (2025-26): “Nature of Stress … The perception of stress is dependent upon the individual’s cognitive appraisal of events and the resources available to deal with them.…” “…Lazarus has distinguished between two types of appraisal, i.e. primary and secondary. Primary appraisal refers to the perception of a new or changing environment as positive, neutral or negative in its consequences. Negative events are appraised for their possible harm, threat or challenge. Harm is the assessment of the damage that has already been done by an event. Threat is the assessment of possible future damage that may be brought about by the event. Challenge appraisals are associated with more confident expectations of the ability to cope with the stressful event, the potential to overcome and even profit from the event. When we perceive an event as stressful, we are likely to make a secondary appraisal, which is the assessment of one’s coping abilities and resources and whether they will be sufficient to meet the harm, threat or challenge of the event. These resources may be mental, physical, personal or social. If one thinks one has a positive attitude, health, skills and social support to deal with the crises s/he will feel less stressed. This two-level appraisal process determines not only our cognitive and behavioural responses but also our emotional and physiological responses to external events. These appraisals are very subjective and will depend on many factors. One factor is the past experience of dealing with such a stressful condition.…” |