Entry
Entries A-Z
Expectancy Theory
The process by which individuals are motivated by their expectancies of the probability of receiving a valued reward. The theory includes three components, all of which must be present for motivation to occur. First is the valence (value) an individual attaches to the expected reward. If the reward offered is not valued, the individual will not be motivated to put forth effort to achieve the reward. Second is the expectancy that one's effort will lead to successful performance. Again, if an individual has low expectancy that effort will lead to successful performance, motivation will be lacking. Third is the individual's belief that successful performance will be instrumental in obtaining the reward. If the individual does not believe that successful performance will result in the valued ...