Valence in expectancy theory refers to

• A. How much a reward is valued
• B. The probability of success
• C. The effort required
• D. The fairness of the process

Answer: (A)

Valence is the value or attractiveness a person assigns to the reward they could receive. In expectancy theory, motivation comes from three elements: effort leading to performance (expectancy), performance leading to a reward (instrumentality), and the value of that reward to the individual (valence). When the reward is highly valued, valence is high, boosting motivation; when the reward isn’t valued or is undesirable, valence is low, dampening motivation even if expectancy and instrumentality are strong. Valence is subjective and varies by person and situation, shaped by needs, goals, and preferences. The idea of the reward’s fairness relates to procedural justice, a separate concept from valence.