Western Governors University (WGU) BUS2001 C484 Organizational Behavior and Leadership Practice Exam

The strength of a tendency to act, according to expectancy theory, is determined by two key components: the strength of one's expectation regarding the outcome and the attractiveness or value of that outcome. This theory posits that individuals are motivated to act in ways that they believe will lead to desired results.

When people evaluate their likelihood of achieving a goal (expectation) and consider how appealing that goal is to them (attractiveness), they assess whether the effort they will put forth is justified. If an outcome is highly attractive and they believe there is a strong possibility of attaining it through their efforts, the likelihood that they will act increases significantly. This intrinsic motivation reflects a deeper connection to the goals and desired rewards, thereby illustrating how both the expectation of success and the perceived value of the outcome collaboratively influence behavior.

In the context of organizational behavior, leaders and managers can use this understanding to create environments that enhance expectations of success and align outcomes with employees' values, thus fostering motivation and engagement within their teams.