We boil at different degrees: The role of need for structure on the effect of other-blame core-relational theme on anger

Abstract

Appraisal theories were developed in part to explain individual differences in emotional reactions. However, there remains little research on whether the effect of core-relational theme (CRT), which reflects the combined meanings of several appraisals, on emotion is stable or varies across individuals, and which individual difference variable can explain such cross-individual variation. The present paper fills this gap by investigating the variability of the effect of other-blame on reported anger with need for structure as moderator. Results revealed that the effect of other-blame on anger was stronger for individuals high (vs. low) in need for structure. These findings contribute to appraisal research by providing clear evidence of an important individual difference moderator of CRT-emotion relationship. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.