Adaptación Psicológica y Emociones (parte A)

The concept of emotion-as-motivation is challenged, and its disadvantages are indicated. The concept of emotion-as-response is described as a more profitable theoretical framework. The relationships between adaptation and emotion are presented: emotion is said to flow from appraisal process, i.e. evaluation by the person or animal of the adaptative significance of the stimulus. A reappraisal procese may occur, based on new information or defensive distortion. In the empirical section of the article research is described in which threat situalions could not lead to direct action, and the modes of coping were basically indirect, cognitive ones involving appraisals and reappraisals.