Colleen is trying to decide which of two events to enter in the school track meet. She thinks she would have a better chance of winning the 100-meter race but decides to enter the 10,000-meter race instead. According to Rotter's theory,
A) her generalized expectancies determined this decision.
B) the reinforcement value of winning the 10,000-meter race is greater than the expectancy of winning the 100- meter race.
C) the decision illustrates that the behavior potential does not always determine behavior.
D) she must have been reinforced for winning the 10,000-meter race in the past.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Rotter's theory, behavior is determined by an individual's expectancy that a particular behavior will lead to a specific outcome and the value they place on that outcome (reinforcement value). In this case, Colleen believes she has a better chance of winning the 100-meter race (expectancy) but decides to enter the 10,000-meter race instead because she values winning that race more (reinforcement value). Therefore, the reinforcement value of winning the 10,000-meter race is greater than the expectancy of winning the 100-meter race, and this is why she chooses to enter the 10,000-meter race.

Colleen Is Trying to Decide Which of Two Events to Enter