What are the components of expectancy theory?

• A. Motivation is a function of effort alone.
• B. Expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.
• C. Reward amount, fairness, and luck.
• D. Ability, opportunity, and outcome.

Answer: (B)

Expectancy theory says motivation comes from three beliefs and how they interact to drive effort. These are expectancy, instrumentality, and valence. Expectancy is the belief that your effort will lead to a certain level of performance. Instrumentality is the belief that performing at that level will lead to a desired outcome. Valence is the value you place on that outcome. When all three beliefs are strong, motivation is high because you expect that putting in effort will yield a worthwhile payoff. If any one of them is weak, motivation drops because the chain from effort to reward becomes uncertain or unvalued.

For example, if you believe that practicing will improve your performance, that good performance will earn you a bonus, and you highly value the bonus, you’re highly motivated to put in the effort. The other options don’t fit expectancy theory: focusing only on effort ignores the links to performance and outcomes; mentioning reward fairness and luck brings in factors from other theories; and listing ability, opportunity, and outcome describes prerequisites or elements outside the belief-based links that expectancy theory emphasizes.