Harry Potter’s Appraisals and Emotions

 One clear example of appraisal and emotion in Harry Potter occurs when Harry learns about the prophecy that connects his fate to Voldemort’s. According to appraisal theories, emotions arise from how people evaluate a situation’s significance for their goals, values, and coping abilities.

At first, Harry’s primary appraisal is that the prophecy is threatening and overwhelming—it determines that either he or Voldemort must die. This evaluation brings about emotions of fear, dread, and anxiety, because he perceives the event as life-threatening and beyond his control. Later, through secondary appraisal, Harry reconsiders his resources: he has loyal friends, mentors, and his own growing abilities. This reappraisal shifts his emotions to determination and courage, motivating him to act instead of withdraw.

This process aligns with Lazarus’s appraisal theory, which emphasizes how emotions depend on the evaluation of relevance, coping potential, and alignment with personal values. For Harry, the shift from fear to courage demonstrates how emotions are not static but change as he reevaluates his circumstances. His journey illustrates how appraisals can transform emotions from paralyzing anxiety into empowering motivation for action.