Cited by 3,272Emotions and Moral BehaviorAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Testing and Assessment

Progress on a cognitive-motivational-relational theory of emotion

Lazarus, Richard S.·1991·American Psychologist

Abstract

The 2 main tasks of this article are 1st, to examine what a theory of emotion must do and basic issues that it must address. These include definitional issues, whether or not physiological activity should be a defining attribute, categorical versus dimensional strategies, the reconciliation of biological universals with sociocultural sources of variability, and a classification of the emotions. The 2nd main task is to apply an analysis of appraisal patterns and the core relational themes that they produce to a number of commonly identified emotions. Anger, anxiety, sadness, and pride (to include 1 positive emotion) are used as illustrations. The purpose is to show the capability of a cognitive-motivational-relational theory to explain and predict the emotions. The role of coping in emotion is also discussed, and the article ends with a response to criticisms of a phenomenological, folk-theory outlook.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0003-066x.46.8.819

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Authors
Lazarus, R. S.
Affiliations
University of California, Berkeley (US)
Corresponding author
Lazarus, Richard S.
Venue
American Psychologist
Published
1991
Volume
46
Issue
8
Pages
819-834
ISSN
  • 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-990X
OpenAlex
W4234372245
Cited by
3,272
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 217 · 2025: 268 · 2024: 219 · 2023: 192 · 2022: 191 · 2021: 221 · 2020: 208 · 2019: 210 · 2018: 161 · 2017: 179 · 2016: 133 · 2015: 110 · 2014: 101 · 2013: 108 · 2012: 81
FWCI
31.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
Keywords
cognitive-motivational-relational theory, emotions, emotion theory, motivation, cognition, emotion regulation
MeSH terms
Cognition, Emotions, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Motivation, Psychological Theory

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