Applications of current cognitive theories of the emotions to the conceptualization of emotional disorders

Abstract

After a period of neglect the psychological study of emotions is making good progress; work from the perspective of cognitive psychology is currently predominant. Key conceptual and theoretical topics from the psychology of the emotions are reviewed and their clinical implications considered. Particular attention is given to (i) the value of formulating emotional disorder within the framework of a basic theory of emotion that emphasizes its functional value, (ii) analysing the extent to which emotional reactions are 'appropriate' in the sense of having perceptual warrant, (iii) distinguishing between thoughts/images and interpretations of the world in formulating the cognitive aspects of emotional reactions, and (iv) the application of appraisal theory, particularly to complex emotions.