What does Expectancy Theory relate to?

Expectancy Theory, developed by Victor Vroom, posits that individuals are motivated to act in certain ways based on their expectations of the outcomes. Specifically, it relates to the belief that exerting effort will lead to performance and that this performance will result in certain rewards.

In the context of the given question, the correct choice highlights the fundamental aspect of Expectancy Theory, which is the relationship between effort, performance, and rewards. Individuals are more likely to engage in tasks if they trust that their efforts and good performance will lead to the outcomes they desire, such as recognition, promotions, or other incentives. The theory emphasizes the importance of individual perceptions and beliefs in the motivation process, indicating that the expectation of a positive outcome can drive behavior.

While the other choices touch on relevant aspects of motivation or performance, they do not encapsulate the core principle of Expectancy Theory. For instance, predicting outcomes based on past experiences relates more to learning theories than the specific causal pathway outlined in Expectancy Theory. Evaluating performance outcomes is a different aspect of performance management, not directly related to motivation expectations. Lastly, while emotions do impact decision-making, they are not a primary focus of Expectancy Theory, which centers on cognitive expectations rather than emotional influences.