Christian's car broke down and he had to walk six miles to school. He said to his friends, "At least I don't have to go to the gym today-I got my exercise!" Psychologists would call Christian's coping style __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Christian is using reappraisal, which involves changing the way one thinks about a potentially stress-inducing situation in order to reduce its emotional impact. By viewing the walk as a form of exercise, he is reframing a negative event (car breaking down) into a positive outcome (getting exercise), which is a classic example of cognitive reappraisal.

Christian's Car Broke Down and He Had to Walk Six