Expectancy Theory

According to expectancy theory, motivation involves the relationship between your effort, your performance, and the desirability of the outcomes $($such as pay or recognition$)$ you receive for your performance. These relationships are affected by three elementsexpectancy, instrumentality, and valence. For your motivation to be high, you must have a high level of all three of these elements. If any element is low, motivation decreases. This activity is important because the underlying logic of expectancy theory is understandable and applicable for managers, and the theory has received a great deal of research support for its use as a motivational tool.

The goal of this activity is to challenge your knowledge of the expectancy theory of motivation.

For each person, select the element of expectancy theory that his or her scenario best exemplifies. If a scenario does not relate to an element of expectancy theory, select "Does not apply."

Ryo is not very excited about meeting his performance goals this quarter because he has compared his goals to his coworker's goals and doesn't feel they are equitable.

Lucy wants to attend training before she takes on a new job role.

At this time in his life, Mateo would rather have more time off than he would a bonus check.

Thu could care less about meeting her goals this quarter because the reward is a $$500$ Omaha Steaks gift card and Thu is a veqetarian.