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ABSTRACT
Expectancy-value theory emphasizes the importance of outcome expectancies for behavioral decisions, but most tests of the theory focus on a single behavior and a single expectancy. However, the matching law suggests that individuals consider expected outcomes for both the target behavior and alternative behaviors when making decisions. In this study, we expanded expectancy-value theory to evaluate the contributions of two competing expectancies to adolescent behavior problems. One hundred twenty-one high school students completed measures of behavior problems, expectancies for both acting out and academic effort, and perceived academic competence. Students' self-reported behavior problems covaried mostly with perceived competence and academic expectancies and only nominally with problem behavior expectancies. We suggest that behavior problems may result from students perceiving a lack of valued or feasible alternative behaviors, such as studying. We discuss implications for interventions and suggest that future research continue to investigate the contribution of alternative expectancies to behavioral decisions.
According to expectancy-value theory, individuals choose behaviors based on the outcomes they expect and the values they ascribe to those expected outcomes. Expectancies, or anticipations of likely consequences for a given action, result from individuals' learning history and then become the basis for future behavioral choices (Del Boca et al., 2002). Empirical support for this theory includes studies of such diverse behaviors as aggression (Perry, Perry, & Rasmussen, 1986; Slaby & Guerra, 1988), alcohol consumption (Del Boca et al., 2002), and academic performance (see Wigfield & Eccles, 2000). Across the board, expectations of greater reinforcement relate to more of the target behavior.
Nevertheless, research on expectancy-value theory is often limited by a focus on a single behavior and its accompanying expectancies. In studying aggression, for example, researchers generally examine only aggression behaviors and no alternatives to aggression. However, decisions about behavior are rarely this simple. Instead, individuals usually choose from several alternative behaviors in any given situation and therefore compare various expectancies. For instance, aggression expectancies likely compete with expectancies for more prosocial behaviors (e.g., talking with the provoker or getting outside help) in determining behavior choice. Cognitive theories of behavioral choice rarely address this problem of multiple behaviors.
Applied behavior analysis suggests the matching law, which does account for competing behaviors. In his original formulation of the matching law, Herrnstein (1961, 1970)...