Untangling the appraisal-emotion connection

This article aims to clarify the nature ofthe relation between cognitive appraisal and emotion. I distinguish a range ofalternative possible hypotheses according to whether this appraisal-emotion connection is assumed to operate at the conceptual or empiri-cal level, whether it is supposed to be a descriptive or causal relation, and whether it is seen as having a contingent or necessary basis. Reviewing the varieties ofavailable evidence for connections at different levels, Ifind little supportfor empirical rather than conceptual relations orfor necessary as opposed to contingent ones. Ways are suggested in which this evidence might be extended so that more substantive conclu-sions are possible. I contend thatfuture progress in this research area requires tighter specification ofthe different kinds ofappraisal process that operate during real-time emotional episodes and of their potential interactions with other aspects of the unfolding emotional syndrome. Finally, I develop an alternative perspective on appraisal-emotion relations that views appraisals as representing the message value ofinterpersonally directed emotions, and I suggestfuture directionsfor research based on this approach