Question

• Discuss expectancy theory and components include examples

Answer 1

Expectancy theory is one of the most influential theories of motivation in business psychology. It says that people are motivated by their conscious expectations of what will happen if they do certain things, and are more productive when they believe their expectations will be realized.

Expectancy theory has three components:

• expectancy
• instrumentality
• valence

Expectancy believes that one's effort will result in achievement of desired goals.

Instrumentality believes that a person will receive a reward if the performance expectation is met.

Valence is the value an individual places on the rewards of an outcome, and is based on the needs, goals, values and sources of motivation.

EXAMPLE:

An employee would be motivated to put in higher amount of effort to perform better on the job. This would occur at an even rate if he knew what the rewards were going to be. For instance, an extra day off or increase in salary. Also, the employee who wants to earn more wouldn’t be tempted by additional day off. And the last thing to be considered is that the employee is well equipped for the job at hand with the resources, time and the required skills.

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