Control-Value Theory

     Control-Value Theory explains how emotions are triggered by emotional appraisals influenced by a person’s control over outcomes and the value they assign to those outcomes. These appraisals shape an individual’s motivation, persistence, and behavior over time. In Daisy’s story, there is a clear evolution in her sense of control and value that brings both conflict and growth throughout her career.

At the beginning of her career, Daisy’s appraisal of control was very strong. She exuded a confidence in her talent that was unwavering and bold. She could sing and perform for any audience, holding high expectations for success. She found excitement in the challenge to improve herself and fulfillment in the validation she received from others. During this period, her value appraisals were also high since she saw her work as meaningful and deeply personal. Every song she wrote reflected her emotions, authenticity, and the gifts she wanted to share with others. As a result, Daisy experienced positive achievement emotions, such as pride and enthusiasm, though they were often accompanied by an inflated ego that reinforced her rockstar persona and external motivation.

However, at the peak of her career, even after the Rolling Stone article when she returned to the band and continued touring, Daisy began experiencing a spike in emotional conflict that no longer aligned with her earlier appraisals of value. She realized that she had been focusing on the wrong outcomes; valuing fame and recognition when, deep down, she longed for love, understanding, and authenticity. This mismatch created emotional tension. She wanted to feel accepted and emotionally connected but she struggled to offer that same openness to others, especially Billy., she did not feel as though it was her fault or responsibility. While she wanted control over the band’s success and the public image she had built, her avoidance of emotional vulnerability and confrontation worked against those goals and became oppositional to what they had all been building together.

In many ways, the fame that Daisy had dreamed of became the very thing that exposed her lack of readiness for it. Her external success intensified her internal conflict, forcing her to acknowledge that she had to stop expecting others to fulfill what she desired emotionally and start creating that space within herself. The lack of reciprocity between her emotions and value appraisals, where she was wanting love and meaning but only found control on fame, triggered a deeper sense of conflict and loss of direction.

Gradually, Daisy’s appraisals became more internally focused. Her values shifted from seeking others’ approval to questioning whether she was being true to her intentions, and not just to who she was at the moment. There was one quote where she said “I'm always myself”, which alludes to her living in the moment mentality, rather than living for the longer pursued purpose of her dreams. At the same time, her control appraisals weakened as she recognized that while she could control her performances, she could not control how others loved, understood, or accepted her. When she wanted others to excuse or ignore the ways that she impacted then as well, instead of being open to the harsh realities of the ways that her emotional state was also something that she could control/ influence. 

Ultimately, Daisy’s journey represents a struggle to reconcile her changing appraisals before they destroy both her career and her relationships. As she matures, she begins to seek balance between her external success and internal well-being. Control-Value Theory helps explain how her emotions evolved alongside her values. Highlighting how shifts in value and control appraisals transformation shaped her long-term motivation and personal growth.