A Michigan State University student spends his summer months in his hometown, where he works for a local microbrewery during the evening hours. In the late morning, he attends the local community college, where he takes summer courses that he knows will transfer back to MSU. Although he finds the courses just as challenging as at his regular university, he does not worry about his summer grades affecting his 3.2 (out of 4.0) grade point average, because MSU accepts only the transfer credits. As long as he receives C grades or better, he maintains his current grade point average. Which of the following theories suggests that the student will work only as hard as necessary to earn a C grade

Expectancy Theory

Explanation:

Expectancy Theory is a motivation theory that explains that people could act in a particular way not because they want to but because of what they are expecting. Hence, they are not driven by the means but by the end result.

In summary, behavior is being motivated by reward expected.

In the scenario, it is stated that ''As long as he receives C grades or better, he maintains his current grade point average.'' The student will therefore strive to be put in average efforts that will at least earn him a C so that he can transfer back to MSU to avoid a drop in his grade point average otherwise he will unwilling to even attend the local community college.

Options:

Expectancy Theory

Objective-setting Theory

Equity Theory

Maslow’s Theory

Expectancy Theory

Explanation:

I guess that this is a great example regarding Vroom's Expectancy Theory, since the student is trying to maximize his benefits while minimizing his efforts (or pains if you want).  

Actually if Vroom would have been born a couple of centuries earlier, he would probably be considered one of the fathers of classical economics. One of the pillars of economics is that individuals are rational and they will all seek to maximize their benefits while reducing their costs.

Instead of economics, Vroom's theory focuses on employee motivation and how a company is basically the sum of each individual employee's performance. That is why it is so important to motivate employees and make them want to perform better.

In this case, the student knows he can get some extra credit by taking classes in a local community college that isn't as demanding as MSU. Since MSU only requires the transfer credits, the student knows that he doesn't need to worry about his grades. He is actually a fairly good student (3.2 average) and smart enough to know that a little extra effort during summer vacations can help him graduate earlier.

answer: heh

explanation: