Expectancy theory is a simple concept. It says that if you can create an expectancy in a person, the expectancy may indeed become fact. If a person is told that he or she is a poor performer and is no good at doing a job, the person will eventually become no good at doing the job and become a bad performer. If on the other hand a person is told that he or she is a high performer and does good work, the person may indeed become a good worker and a high performer.
Typical of the studies that were done at this time were studies that were conducted in elementary schools. In these studies the researchers went to a number of elementary schools. At each school they administered an intelligence-measuring test. Without looking at the results of the intelligence tests they randomly selected a small group of students in each class. The teachers and the parents were told that these students exhibited a high capability to learn and perform well in school.
After a period of time the researchers returned to the schools and administered another intelligence-measuring test. The results of this second test indicated that the students who had been randomly selected to be in the advanced capability group had improved their grades considerably. The only reason for this improvement was the expressed attitude of the teachers, parents, and peers toward the advanced students.
In practice, in project management, this concept can be applied by treating people with encouragement, giving them a sense of recognition and achievement, and giving praise publicly and criticism privately.
Typical of the studies that were done at this time were studies that were conducted in elementary schools. In these studies the researchers went to a number of elementary schools. At each school they administered an intelligence-measuring test. Without looking at the results of the intelligence tests they randomly selected a small group of students in each class. The teachers and the parents were told that these students exhibited a high capability to learn and perform well in school.
After a period of time the researchers returned to the schools and administered another intelligence-measuring test. The results of this second test indicated that the students who had been randomly selected to be in the advanced capability group had improved their grades considerably. The only reason for this improvement was the expressed attitude of the teachers, parents, and peers toward the advanced students.
In practice, in project management, this concept can be applied by treating people with encouragement, giving them a sense of recognition and achievement, and giving praise publicly and criticism privately.