Lazarus and Folkman's Stress Theory

Lazarus and Folkman's Stress Theory emphasizes that stress is not just a response to a challenging situation, but a dynamic interaction between the person and their environment. They proposed that how we perceive and evaluate a situation determines whether it causes stress. This process involves two key steps: primary appraisal, where we assess whether a situation is threatening, and secondary appraisal, where we consider our resources to cope with it. The way we interpret challenges influences our emotional and physical responses, impacting our overall well-being.