Expectancy-value Theory Research Articles

The role of study and leisure values in students’ decisions in study-leisure conflicts: A latent difference score model

Students often face decisions between academic and leisure activities, especially when they have academic activities that need to be completed but are disturbed by leisure activities at the same time. The relative strength of study and leisure values has been theorized to be related to students' decisions in study-leisure conflicts, yet previous studies have focused mainly on the role of the absolute strength of study or leisure values. This study aims to test the relationship between the relative strength of study and leisure values and early adolescent students' decisions in study-leisure conflicts and systematically consider multiple value components defined in expectancy-value theory. Data were collected from 2564 Chinese seventh graders and analysed by latent difference score modelling. The results showed that students with higher study interest value, higher study attainment value, higher study utility value, or lower study cost relative to leisure value components tended to choose academic activities in study-leisure conflicts. Moreover, when considering the four value components simultaneously, the relative strength of study and leisure attainment values had the strongest effect on decisions in study-leisure conflicts. These findings provide a new perspective and new evidence for the relationship between students' study and leisure values and decisions in study-leisure conflicts.

Exploring fundamental engineering course instructors' test usage beliefs and behaviors: A multicase study

AbstractBackgroundTests are commonly and heavily used in fundamental engineering courses (FECs) to assess student learning of concepts. With existing literature presenting mixed benefits and disadvantages of testing to students' motivation to learn and documenting widely alternative assessments, the lack of questioning of heavy and common test usage must be addressed to diversify classroom assessment and promote intentionality in test usage.Purpose/HypothesisThis study begins to address the lack of questioning by exploring and uncovering test usage beliefs and behaviors of seven FEC instructors from two engineering departments in a land‐grant, public, Research 1 universityDesign/MethodGrounded in the Situated Expectancy–Value Theory (SEVT), we conducted a multicase study. Data include two interviews, course syllabi, and sample tests provided by the participants, and public documents from the institution and departments. We conducted a priori and emergent coding and thematic analysis to identify the beliefs and behaviors before developing individual case summaries for cross‐case analysis to identify groupings.ResultsThree test usage groups emerged: enthusiastic, default, and questioning. All test usage groups featured tests heavily in their FECs, resulting in varying alignment between these participants' test usage beliefs and behaviors.ConclusionsOur findings reveal the various factors that can shape FEC instructors' test usage beliefs and behaviors, and the complexity in terms of alignment. This work lays important implications, including laying the foundations for future scholarship on testing in engineering education research and leveraging findings to begin efforts in diversifying assessment approaches and promoting intentional test usage in FECs.

Exploring the heterogeneous development of intrinsic value in language arts among secondary school students through growth mixture modelling

Research indicates that, on average, students' intrinsic value in language arts declines throughout school. According to situated expectancy-value theory, however, not all students follow the same developmental trajectory. This study examined interindividual differences in this development from Grades 5–7 using growth mixture modelling (N = 1325 German students). We further studied how gender, socioeconomic status, prior achievement, and classroom climate predicted trajectory class membership. We identified five intrinsic value trajectory classes, with most, but not all, students best classified into a declining class. Classes' initial value levels differed. Girls were more likely than boys to be grouped into a trajectory class characterized by a high or moderate initial value that slightly decreased, as were students who perceived their classroom climate as more positive. Class membership was associated with subsequent achievement. Our findings underscore the necessity for educators and researchers to recognize intrinsic value heterogeneity within classrooms.

The moderation of culture dimensions on the relationships between expectancy-value factors and reading achievement

The expectancy-value theory (EVT) explains the relationship between reading achievement and expectancy-value factors (i.e., self-concept and task value). As an extension of EVT, the situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT) emphasizes the influence of situational context. Adopting a multi-level modeling approach and drawing on Hofstede's (2011) Cultural Dimensions Theory, we investigated the relationship between SEVT factors (i.e., reading enjoyment and self-concept) and reading achievement using the PISA 2018 dataset. We focused on the moderation effects of six cultural dimensions (e.g., collectivism-individualism) on the relationship between reading enjoyment, self-concept, and reading achievement, along with socioeconomics factors (i.e., country income inequality, country affluence) as country-level covariates. Our findings confirm that (1) there is a positive relationship between the expectancy-value factors and reading achievement and (2) reading self-concept but not enjoyment is a stronger predictor of reading achievement in countries that highly value individualism, egalitarianism, and short-term orientation. Besides, reading enjoyment is more strongly linked to reading achievement in wealthy countries. Educational relevance statementThe findings of this study have important implications for teaching and educational policy-making. Since self-concept and enjoyment strongly correlate with reading achievement, the intervention in students' reading enjoyment and self-concept should be an important consideration in reading classes. In addition, the strength of the association between expectancy-value factors and reading achievement depends on the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. While it is difficult to change a country's cultural norms and socioeconomic situation fundamentally, reforms can be made to create a school and family environment that affords the motivation “seeds” to grow. Particularly, policymakers need to consider how to promote egalitarianism, respect personal goal pursuit and autonomy, emphasize both long-term and short-term goals during teaching and learning. Finally, in developing countries, boosting education investment can provide additional resources to foster the literacy development of students with a passion for reading, ultimately enhancing their reading achievement.

Examining Motivational Attitudes Toward Statistics and Their Relationship to Performance in Life Science Students

A strong foundation of statistics is essential for undergraduates pursuing life science careers, but this foundation is frequently undermined by negative student attitudes toward statistics. This study explored life science students’ motivational attitudes toward statistics, and their relationship to performance, using expectancy-value theory as a guiding framework. According to expectancy-value theory, task-values—interest in a task (intrinsic value), importance of doing well on a task (attainment value), perceptions of the usefulness of a task (utility value), and negative aspects of engaging in a task (cost)—impact achievement outcomes. However, task-values may be better represented by differentiating each into more specific underlying dimensions, or facets. Using 360 undergraduate life science students enrolled in biostatistics courses across two institutions, this study assessed the fit of a task-value facets model for statistics and examined which task-value facets relate to performance on a statistics assessment. Results show that life science students distinguish among facets of attainment value (importance of achievement, personal importance), utility value (school, daily life, social, career/job), and cost (effort, emotional, opportunity) for statistics. Students’ perceptions of the emotional cost of statistics and the importance of achievement in statistics related to their statistics performance. Implications for teaching and research are discussed. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.

Effect of Gender Quotas on Political Representation in Scandinavian Countries in Sweden

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of gender quotas on political representation in Scandinavian countries in Sweden. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Sweden, gender quotas have greatly enhanced female political representation. These quotas have led to a higher number of women in parliament and political positions, promoting greater gender equality in decision-making. The Swedish approach, combining party quotas and legislative requirements, has effectively increased female participation and influenced more inclusive policy-making. This success highlights the positive impact of gender quotas on achieving gender balance in politics. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social learning theory, expectancy-value theory & critical pedagogy theory may be used to anchor future studies on the effect of gender quotas on political representation in Scandinavian countries in Sweden. Educators and curriculum developers should ensure that textbooks and other educational materials represent genders equitably and inclusively. Education policymakers should establish and enforce regulatory standards that mandate gender balance and inclusivity in textbooks.

Impact of Gender Representation in Textbooks on Student Achievement in United Kingdom

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of gender representation in textbooks on student achievement in United Kingdom. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed that balanced gender representation positively influences student outcomes. Research indicates that textbooks featuring diverse gender roles and equitable portrayals help combat gender stereotypes and promote higher engagement and achievement among students. Specifically, when textbooks include a variety of roles and achievements for different genders, students of all genders benefit from improved self-efficacy and academic performance. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social learning theory, expectancy-value theory & critical pedagogy theory may be used to anchor future studies on gender representation in textbooks on student achievement in United Kingdom. Educators and curriculum developers should ensure that textbooks and other educational materials represent genders equitably and inclusively. Education policymakers should establish and enforce regulatory standards that mandate gender balance and inclusivity in textbooks.

Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Career Advancement in STEM Fields in Tanzania

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of gender stereotypes on career advancement in STEM fields in Tanzania. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Tanzania, gender stereotypes significantly impede career advancement for women in STEM fields, creating barriers to their professional growth and development. Research reveals that societal expectations and cultural biases often undervalue women’s contributions and limit their opportunities for advancement. Women face challenges such as unequal access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities compared to their male counterparts. These stereotypes contribute to lower representation of women in leadership positions within STEM sectors, further perpetuating gender disparities. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social role theory, stereotype threat theory & expectancy-value theory may be used to anchor future studies on impact of gender stereotypes on career advancement in STEM fields in Tanzania. Establish mentorship programs that pair LGBTQ+ individuals with supportive mentors who can provide guidance and advocacy. Implement and enforce policies that promote diversity and inclusion in hiring and promotion practices within STEM fields.

Influence of Fashion Brand Loyalty Programs on Repeat Purchases in Uganda

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of fashion brand loyalty programs on repeat purchases in Uganda. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Design and implement loyalty programs that are customized to meet the specific needs and preferences of different customer segments. Establish and enforce policies that protect consumer data collected through loyalty programs. Ensuring robust data privacy measures will build consumer trust and encourage participation in loyalty programs, while also complying with legal standards and regulations. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Expectancy-value theory, social exchange theory & theory of planned behavior may be used to anchor future studies on influence of fashion brand loyalty programs on repeat purchases in Uganda. Brands should use data analytics to identify key consumer segments and develop targeted rewards and incentives that resonate with each group, thereby enhancing program effectiveness and encouraging repeat purchases. Establish and enforce policies that protect consumer data collected through loyalty programs. Ensuring robust data privacy measures will build consumer trust and encourage participation in loyalty programs, while also complying with legal standards and regulations.

Student-scientist interactions: student value perceptions in science communication meetings

ABSTRACT The dissemination and acceptance of misinformation/disinformation and the denial of scientific claims and facts have become increasingly common practices in the post-truth era. The recent global pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of science communication (Sci-Comm) in a dialogical model that supports public engagement with science. Sci-Comm may promote scientific literacy by sharing knowledge and attitudes about science and is considered an important strategy for public engagement, but it requires evaluation based on participants’ motivations. This mixed-methods study examined middle school students’ subjective task values regarding Sci-Comm meetings with scientists. Seventh-grade students (N = 80) attended five meetings aligned with science curriculum topics. Based on the expectancy-value theory, students completed surveys assessing the meetings’ utility, attainment, and intrinsic value. Results showed that value ratings increased significantly across meetings, varying by topic. Qualitative themes highlighted meeting scientists, asking questions, and the interactive structure as valuable aspects. This research provides important insights into the current body of knowledge regarding the influential role of Sci-Comm within the expectancy-value theory framework. Additionally, it may guide educators and researchers in designing effective Sci-Comm sessions to increase student motivation and engagement in science, thereby enhancing the existing literature in science education and Sci-Comm.

Scared, Bored or Happy? Latent Profile Analyses of Primary School Students’ Academic Emotions about Math

Emotions and motivation are central to learning. Control–value theory (CVT) and expectancy–value theory (EVT) explain how emotions and expectations of success affect students’ task engagement. Supported by these two frameworks, this study investigates the emotion profiles for maths among fourth- and fifth-grade students (N = 6778) from three European countries and their links to motivation and achievement. Methods: Using latent profile analysis (LPA), we analysed the emotional profiles in students, as well as their associations with gender, country, grade, motivation and maths achievement. Results: Five profiles emerged in the grade 4 data (Bored, Bored and Anxious, Moderate, Happy and Anxious). All five profiles were visible in the grade 5 data, coupled with an additional sixth profile, which appeared only in grade 5 (i.e., Apprehensive–Happy). Girls were found more commonly in the Anxious profile and were less likely to appear in the Happy profile. Norwegian students were more prominent in the Bored and Moderate profiles. Conversely, Portuguese students stood out more in the Anxious profile and were less present in the Bored and Moderate profiles. The Serbian dataset did not stand out, with a particular pattern observed in grade 4. Nevertheless, Serbian fifth graders were overly visible in the Bored and Anxious profile and less present in the Happy and Apprehensive–Happy groups. The Happy profile had higher scores for all task values except for cost and was, along with the Moderate profile, associated with higher achievement; the Bored and Anxious profile was associated with higher scores of cost value and lower achievement. Conclusions: A person-centred approach allowed for a more diverse view of how students experience emotions. These findings highlight the complex interplay between emotions, motivation and achievement, which is affected by cultural and educational contexts.

Undergraduate Students Achievements in Pure-English- Taught Translation Class Influenced by Their English Learning BackgroundsAn Empirical Research from Cognitive Perspective

This work aims to figure out factors relating to the English learning backgrounds of undergraduate students that influence their diversified learning outcomes from a pure-English-taught translation class. The statistics acquired from both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for analysis from the perspectives of effectiveness of language contexts and expectancy-value theory, so that certain connections between students cognitive activities and their acceptance level of pure L2 learning environment can be demonstrated. The research found that more impressive academic performance in pure-English class were shown by students who were more frequently and closely exposed to divergent naturalistic English contexts and activities, and who had higher self-efficacy and interest in translation learning.

Motivational beliefs as predictors of academic achievement of translation students: a situated expectancy-value theory perspective

ABSTRACT Despite a growing consensus on the function of motivation in translation and its learning, it is unclear whether different motivational beliefs can invariably predict translation learning outcomes. Informed by the expectancy-value theory of motivation, this paper considers to what extent a set of motivational beliefs (i.e. expectancy for success, intrinsic value, extrinsic value, and emotional cost) can predict students’ translation learning achievement and self-perceived translation proficiency. The data for the present study include the achievement data of 279 undergraduate students and their responses to a questionnaire. Results from partial least squares structural equation modelling showed that the participants’ expectancy for success directly predicted their achievement and self-perceived translation proficiency, whereas their intrinsic value, extrinsic value, and emotional cost only indirectly affected these two outcome variables. These results provide evidence of the relative importance of motivational beliefs in predicting translation learning outcomes. This study contributes new insights into the psychological aspect of translation learning and has implications for translation teaching.

Who controls the remote? Examining the motivations of Widening Participation practitioners towards online provision using Expectancy-Value Theory

Many widening participation (WP) organisations moved their operations online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then anecdotal evidence has suggested that most are retaining an online element to their provision. This study seeks to discover to what extent this is the case, and what providers expect to be the impacts of this shift. By surveying and interviewing sector staff we find that most organisations delivering WP activities to young people plan to continue with some remote delivery. However, our respondents also felt that such sessions were less effective across several measures. We use the framework of Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT) to examine this apparent disjunct. Our research finds that while most practitioners do not expect online delivery to be as effective due to issues such as lack of engagement and personal contact, this deficit is balanced by value benefits to themselves and their employers, such as cost and time savings, and increased geographical reach. The study demonstrates the utility of EVT in analysing the decision-making processes of WP staff specifically, and more generally for educators other than classroom teachers.

Paws and Reflect: Assessing the Impact of User Reviews and Ratings on Pet Food E-commerce Purchase Decisions

The pet food industry in the Philippines is thriving as the leading country in Southeast Asia in pet ownership. This study explores this growing sector and its e-commerce landscape, anchored in Rotter’s Expectancy-Value Theory. It uses a quantitative design to examine how online user reviews and ratings influence Filipino pet owners' expectancy & value as the independent variables, motivation with purchase decisions as the dependent variable, and celebrity endorsement as a moderating factor. The study also assesses the credibility and reliability of online reviews and employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis. The study’s results indicate that respondents highly value a product's attributes when making a purchase decision. While product value significantly impacts purchase decisions, expectations about online reviews and ratings do not influence buying motivation. Celebrity endorsements, however, do affect motivation. This study suggests that marketers and pet food retailers should focus on enhancing the quality of user reviews and ratings, engaging with industry experts, and improving customer interactions to foster credibility, trust, and informed purchasing.

Employability and motivation: which motivational theories are most appropriate?

PurposeA range of models of employability implicitly or directly identify potential drivers of motivated behaviour related to engaging in employment-related outcomes whilst acknowledging that employability is also about developing life skills. Motivational theorists suggest that tasks engaged for external purposes, e.g. working towards an employment-related goal, are experienced differently than (those same) tasks engaged in for less external reasons, e.g. the desire for knowledge. Whilst there are excellent examples of the use of motivational theory in some models of employability, sometimes the evidence is either outdated, incorrectly interpreted or fails to use the most appropriate motivational theory. The aim of this paper is to bring to attention several prominent motivational theories and some key evidence that seems most pertinent across models of employability.Design/methodology/approachAs this was a non-empirical design, the approach did not fit any research design methodology or structured, systematic or meta-analysis review. The paper outlines a series of arguments by reviewing in detail several theories of motivation and mapping them against current models of employability.FindingsFrom a theoretical point of perspective, it is suggested that Expectancy Value Theory needs to be considered when creating models of employability. It is also suggested that motivation for employment-related tasks is probably extrinsic, though evidence suggests that forms of extrinsic motivation can also be motivationally adaptive. Several models posit self-efficacy as a driver of motivated behaviour, but the evidence suggests a clear and consistent interactive relationship between subjective task value and self-efficacy, suggesting that self-efficacy is only a useful predictor when value is high.Practical implicationsWhilst the aim of models of employability is to improve our understanding of the predictors of employability behaviours, the practical consequence is the development of appropriate curriculum. Understanding which features of employability create adaptive and maladaptive motivation should help educators create curriculum that produces optimal engagement and performance.Originality/valueModels of employability are mostly created using bodies of extant evidence. In this paper, we have tried to identify where some of the interpretation of the evidence has been more or less appropriate. We hope that ideas and evidence in this paper will allow theorists, where appropriate, to re-develop their models.

The development of mathematics expectancy-value profiles during the secondary–tertiary transition into STEM fields

BackgroundTo master the secondary–tertiary transition into fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), academic self-beliefs play a pivotal role, especially those related to learning mathematics. The framework of expectancy-value theory has been used widely in primary and secondary education and partly in tertiary education to assess the self-beliefs of students in terms of expectancy of success and perceived value of mathematics. Based on this framework, we measured how the intrinsic value, the attainment value, the utility value, and the cost of learning mathematics as well as the expectancy of success when learning mathematics developed during the secondary–tertiary transition of students into STEM fields. Data were collected in a quantitative repeated-measures questionnaire study with two measurement points (measurement point 1: n = 710, measurement point 2: n = 487, listwise: n = 409). We conducted a latent profile analysis to identify the prevalent patterns of mathematics self-beliefs, called profiles, at each of the two measurement points. We studied the relation of these profiles to prior education, achievement at school, and achievement at university. By performing a latent transition analysis, we determined the probabilities of transitioning from the initial profiles to the posterior profiles.ResultsOur analysis revealed four distinct prevalent profiles at each measurement point, ranging from highly favorable (i.e., high expectancy, high value, low cost) to highly unfavorable with respect to learning mathematics. The profiles with favorable manifestations remained stable over time, while those with undesirable manifestations deteriorated further. We observed a sharp increase in cost across all profiles. Prior achievement correlated strongly with profile membership.ConclusionsThe expenditure of time and energy increased sharply during the secondary–tertiary transition, independently of the students’ initial motivational patterns. The perceived utility of mathematics for potential future careers was shown to be a significant source of motivation. The role of mathematics in future careers should thus be made visible in university teaching. Keeping the detrimental development of initially undesirable motivational profiles in mind, university teachers should create ample opportunities for students to gain a sense of accomplishment.

Using expectancy-value theory to understand the teaching motivations of women physics lecturers

Being lectured by a woman physicist can benefit students’ performance, motivation, and engagement with physics. However, due to the severe underrepresentation of women physics faculty, these instances may be scarce. Through semistructured interviews with seven women physics lecturers, we used expectancy-value theory to understand the situative nature of gender regarding motivation to lecture. We sought to understand their choices and decisions when selecting their teaching roles, and if lecturing, what draws them toward certain courses. Our study was a staff-student partnership project carried out in a physics department at a UK university. We identified themes of confidence, enjoyment, the importance of lecturing, and the associated workload. The academic women could not relate to the “showperson” persona that they felt their men colleagues displayed. They navigated low levels of confidence by adopting a painstaking approach to lecture preparation, suggesting an inherent, higher workload associated with lecturing, compared with other forms of teaching. However, the women highly valued lecturing, enjoying the excitement and interactions with students, and were drawn toward developing students’ knowledge and skills. Being familiar with the content allowed them to feel confident in lecturing. We discuss these findings and recommend areas of support that physics departments should endeavor to offer. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Applying Expectancy-Value Theory to Understand Investment Interest in the Young Generation

This study aims to explore the investment interest of students at Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM) through the lens of Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT). The research examines how students' expectations and perceived value influence their interest in investing. Data were collected from a sample of UNM students, and the findings indicate that both expectancy and value have a positive and significant impact on their investment interest. This suggests that enhancing students' expectations and perceptions of the value of investment could lead to a greater interest in investing. The study employed a quantitative approach using SPSS for data analysis. The results reveal that students' investment decisions are strongly influenced by their perceptions of task difficulty, effort, behavioral attitudes, and subjective norms. Additionally, motivation and self-confidence play crucial roles in shaping their investment interest. These findings have important implications for educational strategies, highlighting the need to foster a supportive environment that builds students' confidence and enhances their understanding of the benefits of investing. By doing so, educators can encourage students to develop a stronger interest in and commitment to investment activities.

Exploring Students’ Perceived Values, Cost, and Barriers for Inclusive and Diverse Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Student innovation competitions and programs (ICPs), including hackathons, start-up competitions, and customer discovery labs, have had a transformative impact on the higher education entrepreneurial ecosystem. They have also facilitated students’ experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). However, there is a disparity in the number of underrepresented students and dominant student groups participating in STEM fields. While research supports the benefits of ICP participation, literature discussing students’ perceptions of these programs remains limited. This study addresses three research questions about participation motivation (perceived values and associated costs), participation barriers, and differing perceptions among groups. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 38 students (25 females/13 males, 17 participants/21 non-participants). The analysis focused on the Situated Expectancy-Value Theory (SEVT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The research findings contribute to fostering diversity and inclusion within educational or professional environments by uncovering values (e.g., acquiring professional skills) and costs (e.g., opportunity costs) that students associate with motivation to engage in ICPs. Institutional and individual barriers were identified, including limited program awareness, lack of diversity, and identity mismatch. Therefore, the study intends to inform STEM educators and ICP organizers, foster inclusivity and diversity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and offer guidance for interventions.