Richard S. Lazarus

Richard S. Lazarus was an influential American psychologist best known for his work on stress and coping. He developed a theory that emphasizes how individuals perceive and respond to stressful situations. According to Lazarus, stress doesn't stem solely from external events but from how we interpret and appraise those events. He introduced concepts like "primary appraisal" (assessing whether an event is a threat) and "secondary appraisal" (evaluating our resources to cope with that threat). His research has had a significant impact on psychology, aiding our understanding of emotional responses and resilience in the face of challenges.