Glossary
Cognitive reappraisal
What is Cognitive Reappraisal?
Cognitive reappraisal changes how a situation is interpreted to alter its emotional impact. It can involve considering a different explanation or a different perspective on what the event means.
Relationship to emotion regulation
In Gross’s process model, reappraisal is a form of cognitive change: it changes the meaning assigned to a situation. Distraction redirects attention, while expressive suppression limits visible emotional behavior after an emotional response has begun. These distinctions describe different processes; they do not prove that one strategy is always superior.
Gross and John (2003) found associations between habitual reappraisal, wellbeing, and interpersonal functioning. Those associations do not establish that reappraisal always causes better outcomes.
Illustrative example
After missing a promotion, someone might replace “I am a failure” with “I did not get this role; I can ask what skills or experience would improve my chances next time.” This offers a different interpretation and a possible next step, although the disappointment may remain. Reappraisal should stay consistent with the evidence rather than invent a comforting explanation.
Context and limits
In Troy and colleagues’ study, associations between reappraisal ability and depressive symptoms depended on stress severity and controllability. The published correction retained the substantive conclusions.
The study was observational, so it does not establish a treatment rule. It does challenge blanket claims that reappraisal has no costs or is always helpful. Changing an interpretation may not resolve a situation that needs practical action.