Which statement best describes Expectancy Theory as a motivator?

Which statement best describes Expectancy Theory as a motivator?

• A. Motivation is based on the expected outcomes of actions.
• B. Motivation is driven solely by external rewards.
• C. Motivation is determined by group norms.
• D. Motivation is a fixed trait unaffected by outcomes.

Answer: (C)

Expectancy Theory explains motivation as a judgment about how likely it is that your actions will lead to meaningful results. People are motivated when they believe their effort will lead to good performance, that good performance will produce valued outcomes, and that those outcomes matter to them. In other words, motivation depends on three judgments: effort-to-performance (will I perform well if I try?), performance-to-outcome (will this performance lead to a reward?), and the value I place on that reward (do I care about the reward?). When any of these beliefs is weak, motivation declines. Among the options, the statement that motivation is based on the expected outcomes of actions best fits this idea. It captures the core notion that anticipated results drive motivation. The other choices misrepresent the theory: motivation isn’t driven solely by external rewards, it isn’t determined by group norms, and it isn’t a fixed trait unaffected by outcomes.

Expectancy Theory explains motivation as a judgment about how likely it is that your actions will lead to meaningful results. People are motivated when they believe their effort will lead to good performance, that good performance will produce valued outcomes, and that those outcomes matter to them. In other words, motivation depends on three judgments: effort-to-performance (will I perform well if I try?), performance-to-outcome (will this performance lead to a reward?), and the value I place on that reward (do I care about the reward?). When any of these beliefs is weak, motivation declines.

Among the options, the statement that motivation is based on the expected outcomes of actions best fits this idea. It captures the core notion that anticipated results drive motivation. The other choices misrepresent the theory: motivation isn’t driven solely by external rewards, it isn’t determined by group norms, and it isn’t a fixed trait unaffected by outcomes.