Instead of the usual excuses, I shall cite academic management theory. Expectancy theory is a subset of motivational theory and is also one of my favourite academic concepts. As a part of motivation theory, expectancy theory attempts to explain the reasons behind the level of motivation in a person. Obviously, by looking at the name you can guess that the theory aims to do so by focusing on what a person expects. That is, if you don’t know what to expect out of something, you won’t be motivated to do it. Alternatively, if you expect that you’ll get something out of an act, then you’ll be motivated to do it.
Rather than explaining the entire theory, I’ll just focus on the part which applies to me most. The E -> P section. Which stands for effort to performance. Basically, this part suggests that the level of motivation is dependent upon the extent of the correlation between effort and performance. That is, if a person perceives that there is a low correlation between the amount of effort he must put in in order to perform an act, then he won’t be motivated to do it. For example, if an untalented swimmer has no idea whether training will even help him get into the finals, he wouldn’t be motivated to train. Because it’s to do with correlation, it’s more about not trying because you have no idea whether or not trying will even make a difference rather than not trying because you know you can’t do it.
In my case, my low e -> p is exemplified in my past 2 quizzes. For accounting, I studied alot harder than I was initially intending, and expected to do fairly well because aside from studying for the test, I’d actually been doing the work required of me over the semester (which, in a round a bout sort of way, was the reason why I wasn’t intending to study too hard for the test). My score? 22/40. Admittedly, this is only 1 section and I’m hoping the other won’t be as dismal.
For information systems, I attempted studying 2 days before but ingeniously studied the wrong chapters. Then again attempted studying the day before, but decided to go for frisbee with the intention of studying after. Very obviously, I didn’t. So the morning of the test, I woke up and spent an hour and a half studying for it. I was quite sleepy by the time I had to do the actual test. In fact, if you ask me now, I couldn’t tell you a single question they asked. I don’t even remember how I thought I fared. And of course, I get 17/20.
So you see how, in my case, there really is a very low correlation between the amount of effort I put in and the performance I get out of it. When I put in effort, I get a lousy mark. When I don’t, I get a high mark. So with such an erratic performance history, it’s no wonder I lack the motivation to study. I mean, if I knew for a fact that every time I studied and did all my work I’d be guaranteed a high distinction, then obviously I would do it. When most people do tests or write essays, they more or less know the mark they’re going to get. Not me. Every time I get my marks back it’s always SURPRISE!! All of this tends to get very depressing and de-motivating. The consequences of which are a lack of studiousness on my part.
Now that I’ve successfully illustrated, by way of established management theory, the reason why I don’t study, I hope I have empowered you to go out and find that obscure theory that secures your triumph in future battles with your parents pertaining to your general slothful behaviour. Remember: Procrastination needs work!!
I think I have achieved tertiary education-ironic-procrastination-excuses-enlightenment. If you understand what I mean by that very hyphenated phrase then you’ve achieved enlightenment too. Congratulations.
