Reappraisal

What is Reappraisal?

Reappraisal involves cognitively reframing an event to reduce its negative impact. For example, let’s say that I dropped my sandwich on the ground and I have nothing else to eat for lunch. I might tell myself that I am better off than people in the world who don’t have any food. Or I might tell myself that it’s not so bad because I can get a snack later in the day. Or maybe I tell myself that it’s good I dropped my sandwich because it will help me stay on my diet.

Why is it important to have this skill?

When we change the way we are thinking about our experiences we don’t let life’s slings and arrows get to us as much. We are able to see challenges as opportunities and begin to view our lives in terms of strengths instead of weaknesses. An ability to successfully reappraise enables us to reduce negative emotions and open us up to experiencing happiness, even during difficult times.
​Activities to develop this skill:

Negative Reappraisal

Negative reappraisal involves cognitively reframing a negative event as less negative.  In this emotion activity, you learn the emotion skill, negative reappraisal. ​

Positive Reappraisal

Positive reappraisal involves cognitively reframing a negative event as more positive. In this emotion activity, you learn the emotion skill, positive reappraisal.
Learn about other Emotion Skills >>
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