Principles of Management CLEP Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Expectancy theory, developed by Victor Vroom, emphasizes the psychological processes that influence motivation in individuals. It proposes that motivation is primarily determined by the belief that one's efforts will lead to good performance. This theory breaks down motivation into three components: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.

Expectancy is the belief that one’s effort will result in the desired level of performance. When individuals believe that their hard work will positively impact their performance, they are more likely to be motivated and put forth that effort. This aspect highlights the intrinsic connection between an individual’s perception of their capabilities and their motivation to achieve specific outcomes.

The other options do not align with the fundamental aspects of expectancy theory. For example, the notion that motivation is solely based on financial rewards overlooks the importance of individual belief in their ability to perform effectively. Additionally, the idea that expectancy theory is unrelated to individual goals contradicts one of its key premises, as personal goals are inherently tied to what individuals expect to achieve. Finally, stating that motivation is dependent only on external factors disregards the internal cognitive evaluations that are central to the expectancy model.