Expectancy-Value Theory

Expectancy-Value Theory suggests that people’s motivation to engage in a task is based on two factors: their expectation of success and the value they place on the outcome. If someone believes they can succeed (high expectancy) and cares about the result (high value), they are more likely to be motivated to put effort into the task. Conversely, if they doubt their ability or don’t find the outcome meaningful, their motivation decreases. This framework helps explain why individuals pursue certain goals and how their confidence and the importance they assign to results influence their actions.