Cognitive Theories
Cognitive theories have an important place in the contemporary psychological approaches to the understanding and interpretation of emotions. These theories argue rather convincingly based on detailed research findings that cognitive activity—in the form of judgments, evaluations, or thoughts—is necessary for an emotion to occur. The main proponent of this theory is Richard Lazarus (1991). Lazarus put forward a theory of emotion "that is cognitive, motivational, and relational" (p. 3), an integrated outlook on emotions that he pioneered during over 40 years of work with respect to psychological stress. Cognitive activity "refers mainly to diverse forms of thought, whether conscious or unconscious/' that enters virtually into every thing we do. Motivation has to do with "what we want, wish, or need." Cognitive activity and motivation are shaped and changed by the transactions we have with the physical and social environment. It is in this sense that emotions are relational (p. 6).