What does Expectancy Theory propose about individual motivation?

Expectancy Theory, developed by Victor Vroom, centers on the idea that motivation is influenced by the expected outcome of a person’s efforts. It posits that individuals are motivated to act based on their expectations that their efforts will lead to a desirable outcome, and this process includes three key components: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.

The correct answer highlights that extra performance must be recognized and rewarded for motivation to occur. This aligns with the instrumentality component of the theory, which states that individuals must believe that their performance will lead to a reward. If performance is recognized and linked to rewards, individuals are more likely to be motivated to put in extra effort. The essence of this idea is that acknowledgment and appropriate rewards for performance are crucial in driving motivation.

The other choices lack this comprehensive connection between performance recognition and motivation. For instance, the first option suggests that motivation is solely predicated on personality traits, which overlooks the importance of situational factors and individual expectations. The third choice implies that motivation remains constant across individuals, ignoring the varying perceptions of what reward or success means to different people. Lastly, the fourth option suggests that motivation is only driven by intrinsic factors, while Expectancy Theory encompasses both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing motivation through the expectations