Appraisal theorists suggest that people appraise their
environment along several appraisal dimensions, namely,
(1) goal congruency, (2) personal agency, (3) certainty, (4)
normative/moral compatibility, and (5) importance.1
According to appraisal theory, various appraisal dimensions
combine to evoke a specific emotional response. Hope is a
positively valenced emotion evoked in response to an uncertain
but possible goal-congruent outcome. Of particular relevance
to hope are the dimensions of goal congruency, certainty,
and importance.