Expectancy Theory and Policy Capturing: A Predictive Model of Student Effort in an Academic Environment.
Abstract
This thesis examined the valence and force models as hypothesized by Vroom's expectancy theory. It also examined the behavioral characteristics of the variable expectancy. The research involved a decision making exercise to capture the course preference and behavioral choice (effort) policies of 50 Air Force Institute of Technology graduate students. Three course factors, Grade Point Average, regard of classmates, and a feeling of personal satisfaction, captured the valence policy. These same factors, plus the expectancy variable, captured the effort policy. The data were supportive of both the valence and effort models; i.e. - the ability of the models to explain variation in the data, and the interactive nature of the differing components, were both substantiated. For the valence model, the mean R2 was .8243, which attests to not only the internal reliability of the instrument, but also to the consistency of the model. For this sample, the data yielded a dichotomous version of expectancy (values 0 and 1).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA076201
Entities
People
- Merl A. Morehouse
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology