Question

How does the expectancy-value concept add to our understanding of social learning, achievement motivation, the relationship between attitudes and behavior, and social loafing?

Answer 1

Expectancy-value concept defines motivation as not only the expectation of success but also the value added to it. That is we are motivated not only to achieve success but also, expect some personal immediate or future gains or values. In social learning we tend to learn or are motivated to achieve success in learning those behaviors to which we believe could bring more gains or benefits to us, or in other words that behavior which have larger values for us. Our achievement motivation is effected when we are positively motivated that is motivated to achieve success we would undertake difficult tasks than when we are motivated to avoid failures. Expectancy-value concept do not have much relationship between attitudes and behaviors. But, social loafing is effected by expectancy-value, as when we perceive that our efforts are not going to give our desired results in group work, we are less motivated to put our efforts than when we perceive our personal values of gain to be higher.