Question

Explain the primary appraisal process, including how individuals categorize situations as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful, and further differentiate stress into harm/loss, threat, and challenge.

Answer 1

The primary appraisal process involves individuals categorizing situations as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful, and further differentiating stress into harm/loss, threat, and challenge.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary appraisal process is a critical part of the stress response, where individuals categorize situations as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful. In this process, individuals judge the degree of potential harm or threat to their well-being that a stressor might entail. Stressors can be categorized as harm/loss, threat, or challenge. For example, a promotion at work can be appraised as a stressor that either leads to excessive work demands (threat) or offers an opportunity for personal growth (challenge).