Question

give an example of an experiment that would provide evidence for expectancy theory, and why this can be regarded as useful proof.

Answer 1

The expectancy theory developed by Vroom (1964) assumes that expected rewards lead to behaviours by focusing on various cognitive states that can lead to motivation. In other words, individuals are motivated when they believe that they will be rewarded or when their actions have desirable outcomes. However, if there is a lack of belief, then they will not be motivated to behave or act in a certain way.

Vroom's expectancy theory assumes that behaviour results from the conscious choices that maximize pleasure and minimze pain. Vroom stated that an employees performance is based on skill, knowledge, experience and abilities. He provided the following mathematical equation for this theory :

Expectancy is the belief about the outcome of behaviour (I will get an additional $100); valence is the value the individual assigns to the outcome of the behaviour (I value an additional $100); instrumentality is the belief that the outcome recieved for performing the behaviour will occur again if the behaviour is manifested (if I do the same again, I will get $100).

An experiment that could provide evidence for the expectancy theory is to investigate the motivational factors that may contribute to employees providing feedback to their employers or managers. Here, one group of employees are informed that the feedback given will be anonymous in nature while the other group are informed that the feedback will be direct in nature (face to face). There is a higher probability thatthe expectation theory is more effective in the employees from the anonymous feedback group because they believed they had more discretion in performing the task.

Since the evaluation process is completely anonymous for one group, it makes sense that Expectancy Theory is a good choice for predicting employee motivation for filling out the evaluations in the first place. Whereas, for the other group whose feedback was not anonymous, it is likely that their level of motivation is low because they to do not have the discretion to give honest feedback.

The purpose of using Vroom's Expectancy theory now, is to determine the employees believed would be attained by providing these evaluations. The results of the experiment could indicate that the employee's motivation was dependent on what factors were important to them. For example, it could help in improving the value of their work life or job security. Also the employees could have certain expectations from the feedback they peovided, such as the probability that it could lead to an increased value for them, increments or other employee benefits.

Thus, Vroom's expectancy theory is not about self interest in rewards but bout the associations people make towards the expected outcomes and the contribution they feel they can make towards those outcomes.