Expectancy

Expectancy is a term used in psychology, sociology, and other social sciences to describe the belief or assumption about the likelihood of future events. It is often used in the context of health psychology and behavioral medicine to explain how individuals' expectations about their health can influence their behaviors and outcomes.

Definition

In the broadest sense, expectancy refers to a belief about the future. It is a prediction or anticipation about a future event or behavior. In the context of health psychology and behavioral medicine, expectancy can refer to beliefs about the likelihood of health-related behaviors (e.g., exercise, diet, smoking cessation) and outcomes (e.g., recovery from illness, longevity).

Expectancy Theory

Expectancy theory is a motivational theory that suggests that individuals are motivated to engage in behaviors that they believe will lead to desired outcomes. This theory is often used to explain health behaviors. For example, if an individual believes that exercising regularly will lead to improved health and longevity (i.e., they have a high expectancy), they are more likely to engage in regular exercise.

Health Expectancy

Health expectancy, also known as healthy life expectancy (HLE), is a measure of how long a person can expect to live in good health. It is calculated by subtracting the years of ill health from overall life expectancy. Health expectancy can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle behaviors, and social determinants of health.

Expectancy-Value Theory

Expectancy-value theory is a psychological theory that suggests that individuals' behaviors are influenced by how much they value a particular outcome (value) and their belief about the likelihood that their behavior will lead to that outcome (expectancy). This theory is often used to explain health behaviors. For example, if an individual values good health and believes that eating a healthy diet will lead to good health, they are more likely to eat a healthy diet.

See Also

• Health psychology
• Behavioral medicine
• Motivation
• Health behavior

References

Expectancy Resources
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