According to lazarus, our first task when faced with a potential stressor is to estimate its severity and to determine whether it is a challenge or threat. this evaluation is referred to as a

The correct answer is primary appraisal.

Primary appraisal refers to the process whereby a person judges a stressful event or stimulus as either stressful, harmless, positive, difficult or manageable. For instance, if there is a sudden storm, a person might either perceive it as a positive thing so/he or she can stay at home and sleep. On the other hand, the storm might also be perceived as stressful and dangerous if a person needs to drive to work during the storm.