Expectancy - Value Theory
What is the Expectancy-Value Theory?
An expectancy is an individual's judgement of their own capabilities. It answers the question, "Can I do this task?" A value is an individual's beliefs about the importance of something or the reasons why they may engage in certain tasks. It answers the question, "Do I want to do this task and why?" In the expectancy-value theory, both expectancies and values play an important role in predicting an individual's future decisions, engagement, persistence, and achievement. According to the Expectancy-Value theory, motivation depends on an individual's retention of positive expectancies and values.
What are strengths and weaknesses of the Expectancy-Value Theory?
Strengths
The Expectancy-Value Theory
Weaknesses
The Expectancy-Value Theory:
The Expectancy-Value Theory
- Provides a framework for considering how individuals make decisions based upon expectations and values
- Accounts for the differences in choices among people despite the actual amount of effort it takes to achieve something
- Is generally supported by current research
Weaknesses
The Expectancy-Value Theory:
- Stresses that motivation is dependent upon an individual's expectancies and values.
- Doesn't consider that the individual's emotional state, personality, abilities, knowledge, skills, and past experiences are factors that affect the outcome of the model.
- Is a perception-based model
- Can be difficult to implement in a group environment.
How is the Expectancy-Value Theory applied in practical settings?
Some learners come from families who do not place a high value on education. These learners tend to have lower expectations as well. Instructors can promote the value of learning by applying some of these activities/strategies within the classroom setting:
- Set clear, attainable goals with a specific purpose
- Make sure that early assigned tasks allow students to be successful in order to raise their expectancy
- Invite positive role models to share their experiences with the class. Stress that the achievement of these role models may not have been excellent when they arrived but improved as they became more confident and gained more knowledge and experience.
Which researchers are associated with the Expectancy-Value Theory?
Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)
Kurt Lewin established the concept of level of aspiration, which is an individual's expectations or goals of his or her own future achievement in completing a specific task. Lewin believed that goal-setting was based on one's own familiarity and past experiences with the task. Lewin assessed levels of aspiration in multiple children using a ring toss game to determine each child's motivation to complete the task of tossing a ring onto a peg. His experimentation and research findings set the foundation for the development of the Expectancy-Value Theory.
John Atkinson (1923-2003)
John Atkinson studied the psychology of motivation and achievement in the 1960's. His research expanded on previous research on achievement motivation. He initiated an achievement motivation theory that combined needs, expectancies, and values into one all-encompassing framework. He believed that behavior was a function that involved motives, probability of success (one's belief about the likelihood of success), and incentive value (one's pride in accomplishment). Research on Atkinson's theory advanced the field of motivation by differentiating between the beliefs about being able to do the task (probability and expectancy of success) and the beliefs about the importance, value, and desire to do the task (motives, incentive value).
John Atkinson studied the psychology of motivation and achievement in the 1960's. His research expanded on previous research on achievement motivation. He initiated an achievement motivation theory that combined needs, expectancies, and values into one all-encompassing framework. He believed that behavior was a function that involved motives, probability of success (one's belief about the likelihood of success), and incentive value (one's pride in accomplishment). Research on Atkinson's theory advanced the field of motivation by differentiating between the beliefs about being able to do the task (probability and expectancy of success) and the beliefs about the importance, value, and desire to do the task (motives, incentive value).
Which research supports or criticizes the Expectancy-Value Theory?
http://www.leadership-central.com/expectancy-theory-of-motivation.html#axzz2alOciLDE
This technical article presents a critique of the Expectancy-Value theory. The major criticism refers to its simplicity. Critics also
claim that it does not address the different effort levels of individual’s.
This technical article presents a critique of the Expectancy-Value theory. The major criticism refers to its simplicity. Critics also
claim that it does not address the different effort levels of individual’s.
References
Expectancy Theory of Motivation. (2013, August 1). Retrieved from Leadership Central: http://www.leadership-central.com/expectancy-
theory-of-motivation.html#axzz2alOciLDE
Schunk, D. H. (2014). Motivation in Education: Theory, Research, and Applications . New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Wigfield, A. (2014). Expectancy-Value Theory of Achievement Motivation: A Developmental Perspective. Educational Psychology
Review.
theory-of-motivation.html#axzz2alOciLDE
Schunk, D. H. (2014). Motivation in Education: Theory, Research, and Applications . New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Wigfield, A. (2014). Expectancy-Value Theory of Achievement Motivation: A Developmental Perspective. Educational Psychology
Review.