The three boxes idea is a simplification of James Gross's process model. In the first box, you try to be as objective as possible in your situation. The second box is like, at all times you are constructing some movie in your head about what's going on here. And the third box is just how you're now perceiving your situation and it's often called appraisal.
What’s the difference between anger and indignation? What’s Angela’s problem with turkey sandwiches? And why wasn’t a No Stupid Questions listener angry at the men who assaulted him?
Take the Seven Deadly Sins survey: freakonomics.com/nsq-sins/