The article provides an overview of appraisal theories of emotion, tracing their historical development from Darwin's functional approach to modern theoretical advancements. Appraisal theories view emotions as adaptive responses to environmental stimuli, reflecting the organism's well-being. These theories are componential, positing that emotions involve changes in multiple subsystems: appraisal, motivation, somatic response, motor behavior, and subjective feelings. The continuous and recursive nature of these processes means that changes in one component can influence others, leading to parallel emotional episodes. Key aspects of appraisal theories include the definition of appraisal, its role in emotion, and predictions about individual, cultural, and developmental differences. Theories differ in the number and nature of appraisal variables, the type of process involved, and the mechanisms underlying the influence of appraisals on other components. Despite commonalities, there are unresolved issues and ongoing debates, particularly regarding the content and mechanisms of appraisal processes. The article concludes by highlighting current developments and future directions in appraisal theory, emphasizing the complexity of emotional events and the integration of emotion regulation within the theory.The article provides an overview of appraisal theories of emotion, tracing their historical development from Darwin's functional approach to modern theoretical advancements. Appraisal theories view emotions as adaptive responses to environmental stimuli, reflecting the organism's well-being. These theories are componential, positing that emotions involve changes in multiple subsystems: appraisal, motivation, somatic response, motor behavior, and subjective feelings. The continuous and recursive nature of these processes means that changes in one component can influence others, leading to parallel emotional episodes. Key aspects of appraisal theories include the definition of appraisal, its role in emotion, and predictions about individual, cultural, and developmental differences. Theories differ in the number and nature of appraisal variables, the type of process involved, and the mechanisms underlying the influence of appraisals on other components. Despite commonalities, there are unresolved issues and ongoing debates, particularly regarding the content and mechanisms of appraisal processes. The article concludes by highlighting current developments and future directions in appraisal theory, emphasizing the complexity of emotional events and the integration of emotion regulation within the theory.