Cognitive reconstruction method, also called cognitive theory of emotion, is a theory in psychology that advocates that emotions arise from the evaluation of stimulating situations or things. It is believed that the generation of emotions is affected by three factors: environmental events, physiological conditions and cognitive processes, among which cognitive processes are the key factor that determines the nature of emotions. It includes: (1) Arnold’s “appraisal-excitement” theory; (2) Schachter’s two-factor emotion theory; (3) Lazarus’ cognition-evaluation theory; (4) Siminoff Emotional cognition-information theory; (5) Young and Pribram's emotional dissonance theory.

In fact, emotional states are the result of the integration of cognitive processes (expectations), physiological states, and environmental factors in the cerebral cortex. Stimulating factors in the environment input external information to the cerebral cortex through receptors; physiological factors input information about physiological state changes to the brain through the activities of internal organs and skeletal muscles; the cognitive process is the recall of past experiences and the evaluation of the current situation. . Information from these three aspects is integrated by the cerebral cortex to produce some kind of emotional experience. Converting the above theory into a working system is called the Emotional Arousal Model.

The core part of this emotional arousal model is cognition. The current realistic stimulus is compared with the past experience stored in the memory through the cognitive comparator. When there is a mismatch between perceptual analysis and cognitive processing, At this time, the cognitive comparator generates information, mobilizes a series of biochemical and neural mechanisms, releases chemicals, changes the neural activation state of the brain, and adapts the body to the requirements of the current situation. At this time, emotions are awakened.