According to expectancy theory, people tend to choose behaviors that they believe will help them achieve their personal goals and avoid behaviors that they believe will lead to undesirable consequences. Bill does not call in to report that he will be absent. This will result in an unexcused absence that will lead to disciplinary action. Bill has had unexcused absences in the past for which he has been disciplined. How is this action explained by this theory?
A) Bill does not understand the instrumentality of his behavior for the negative consequence
B) To Bill, the discipline he will incur does not have enough negative valence to offset the positive valence of not calling in.
C) Expectancy theory only explains positive behaviors, not negative behaviors.
D) Bill doesn't understand the expectancy built into the situation.
E) Bill has an inability to process feedback.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the expectancy theory, people choose behaviors based on the expected outcomes, and in this case, Bill has determined that the negative consequence of unexcused absence is not enough to offset the positive outcome of not making the call. Therefore, he chooses not to call.

According to Expectancy Theory, People Tend to Choose Behaviors That