SUBJECTIVE, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS OF THREAT AND CHALLENGE APPRAISAL

The applicability of R. S. Lazarus and S. Folkman's (1984) cognitive a ppraisal model of stress was examined in 3 laboratory experiments invo lving the repeated performance of active (Studies 1, 2, and 3) and pas sive (Study 3) coping stress tasks (P. A. Obrist, 1981). Threat apprai sals of upcoming coping tasks were positively related to Ss' self-repo rted task stress. Cardiac reactivity during active coping stressors wa s related positively to challenge appraisals and negatively to threat appraisals. Vascular reactivity, however, was related positively to th reat appraisals and negatively to challenge appraisals. During passive coping stressors, cardiac and skin conductance reactivity were relate d positively to threat appraisals. The fractionation of self-report an d physiological measures during active coping was interpreted in terms of energy mobilization and effort. The implications for the use of ph ysiological measures as indicators of stress are discussed.