Question

Rick is a machine operator in a plastic manufacturing company. He believes that if he performs better, he will receive more incentives. In the context of expectancy theory of motivation, this scenario best illustrates the factor of _____.

Answer 1

Instrumentality.

Since Rick believes that working hard will result in better incentives and his attitude towards these incentives is not known, we can say that in the context of expectancy theory of motivation, that this scenario best reflects the factor of instrumentality.

Vroom's expectancy theory of motivation attempts to explain that people choose to perform certain actions over other in a manner that aims to maximize pleasure and reduce pain to lowest possible extent.

There are three factors that affect motivation : expectancy, instrumentality and valence.

Expectancy : refers to the belief of working harder with the expectation of attaining the goals set within an organization.

Instrumentality : refers to the belief that one will be rewarded if certain goals are met. These rewards may take the form of increased wages, recognition, increased incentives etc.

Valence: refers to the value attached by the worker to the reward that has been attained.