Expectancy effects in performance situations

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This analysis explores a longstanding question in social psychology: how expectancies influence behavior. It focuses on the critical boundary conditions that affect the impact of positive and negative performance expectancies on cognitive test performance. The central hypothesis posits that the mode of self-regulation—whether an individual is eager to achieve positive outcomes or vigilant to avoid negative ones—serves as a key moderating factor in how these expectancies influence performance. The research aims to achieve three main objectives: (1) to develop a theoretical framework explaining the differential effects of performance expectations, highlighting the role of self-regulation's motivational mechanisms; (2) to challenge the unidirectional view of stereotype threat theory, detailing conditions under which negative stereotypic expectations have classic effects and scenarios that can negate or reverse these effects; and (3) to examine how specific motivational mechanisms are influenced by performance expectancies. Findings from six experimental studies support the proposed theoretical framework. The discussion includes implications of this model and potential applications in everyday contexts.