1. in the cognitive appraisal theory of emotions, a person’s judgments of the specific significance of particular events to himself or herself, resulting in the generation of specific emotional states (e.g., anger, joy, envy, or shame) in that person. Any core relational theme has three components: goal relevance, ego involvement, and coping potential. See appraisal dimension; primary appraisal; secondary appraisal.

2. repetitive patterns of relating to others that are presumed to be determined by relationships with parents and other influential individuals in early life. These relational themes can include dependent patterns and distrustful patterns, among others.