Could someone please explain the difference between interpreting a situation as either 'irrelevant' or 'benign positive' in primary appraisal!
There are two levels to primary appraisal. One is assessing the situation, and then the consequent level is assessing what impact that situation may have.
So the irrelevant/benign-positive/stressful is the first level.
> If the situation doesn't affect the individual, it is
irrelevant.
> If the situation is positive for the individual, but not stressful, (idk like someone smiling at you or something lol), then it is
benign-positive.
> Stressful, of course, is self-explanatory.
The second level only occurs if the situation is assessed as stressful, at which stage the impact of the situation is evaluated.
> If the harm is thought to probably occur in the future, it is a
threat> If the impact causes opportunity for growth or is perceived as positive, it is a
challenge> If the harm has already occurred, it is considered
harm-lossAlso, in primary appraisal if a situation is deemed to be stressful, can someone experience eustress or distress even if the stressful situation is deemed to be harm/loss or threat?
cheers
In secondary appraisal, availability of resources to cope are assessed.
If there are
sufficient resources, eustress can be experienced even in the face of harm/loss or threat. This is because one feels an ability to cope, and the situation will usually be reassessed through reappraisal and be a irrelevant (coped with it, not my problem now), or a challenge (I can cope with this).
On the other hand, of course, if there are
insufficient resources to cope, then distress is usually experienced. Reappraisal will loop because the stressor has not been coped with.
Good luck!