Which theory states that people will work hard if they believe that effort leads to good performance and good performance leads to rewards?

Which theory states that people will work hard if they believe that effort leads to good performance and good performance leads to rewards?

• A. Goal-Setting Theory
• B. Expectancy Theory
• C. Equity Theory
• D. Reinforcement Theory

Answer: (A)

Expectancy theory explains motivation as a result of beliefs about the links between effort, performance, and rewards. The main idea is that people will put in more effort if they think their effort will improve their performance (effort → performance) and if they believe that higher performance will lead to valued rewards (performance → rewards). The strength of that motivation depends on how likely they think these links are and how much they value the rewards (valence). The described belief—that effort leads to better performance and better performance leads to rewards—fits this theory because it centers on the sequence from effort to results and outcomes. Goals-related theories focus on setting and pursuing specific targets to drive performance, not on the cognitive belief that effort will translate into rewarded performance. Equity theory centers on fairness and comparisons with others, rather than the performance-reward link. Reinforcement theory emphasizes how past consequences shape behavior, rather than the anticipatory beliefs about future performance and rewards.

Expectancy theory explains motivation as a result of beliefs about the links between effort, performance, and rewards. The main idea is that people will put in more effort if they think their effort will improve their performance (effort → performance) and if they believe that higher performance will lead to valued rewards (performance → rewards). The strength of that motivation depends on how likely they think these links are and how much they value the rewards (valence). The described belief—that effort leads to better performance and better performance leads to rewards—fits this theory because it centers on the sequence from effort to results and outcomes.

Goals-related theories focus on setting and pursuing specific targets to drive performance, not on the cognitive belief that effort will translate into rewarded performance. Equity theory centers on fairness and comparisons with others, rather than the performance-reward link. Reinforcement theory emphasizes how past consequences shape behavior, rather than the anticipatory beliefs about future performance and rewards.