In expectancy theory, what links effort to performance?

In expectancy theory, the concept that links effort to performance is known as expectancy. This reflects the belief that increased effort will lead to improved performance. It is based on the idea that individuals will be motivated to exert more effort if they believe that this effort will result in a desired level of performance. This relationship is fundamental to the theory, as it determines whether an individual will be willing to put in the required effort based on their expectation of success.

The other concepts in the theory, such as instrumentality and valence, serve different functions. Instrumentality relates to the belief that performance will lead to certain outcomes or rewards, while valence refers to the value an individual places on those outcomes. Reinforcement, on the other hand, involves the strengthening of behavior through rewards but does not directly explain the connection between effort and performance as expectancy does.