Expectancy Motivation Theory
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The expectancy theory of motivation suggests that when we think about the future, we formulate expectations about what we think will happen. When a positive outcome is predicted, we believe that we can make that possible future a reality. This leads us to feel more motivated to pursue those likely outcomes.
This theory is sometimes referred to as the valence-instrumentality-expectancy model of motivation as it proposes that motivation consists of these three key elements:
- Valence: the value people place on the potential outcome
- Instrumentality: whether people believe they have a role to play in the predicted outcome
- Expectancy: the belief that one has the capabilities to produce the outcome
A weakness of expectancy theory is that it doesn’t account for the impact of one’s social environment. For example, research has found that, in the workplace, groups of individuals can influence the motivation level of a single worker.
