Zack and Lavina each get an A on their English exams. Zack believes that he received an A because he studied extremely hard, and
Lavina believes she received an A because she was lucky to have an easy exam. According to Rotter's expectancy theory, Zack is an ______ and Lavina is an ______.
The expectancy theory was developed by J.B. Rotter to explain why people behave the way they do. The theory suggests people take certain actions(behaviour) based on the outcome and value of that behaviour which has been informed by past experiences and learning.
Rotter classified people into two types: internals and externals. Internals according to Rotter are individuals who believe that happenings are a result of their own direct efforts. Externals, on the other hand believe things happen by such things as luck and cannot be controlled by them.