Which theory focuses on the cognitive processes involved in employee choices?

The focus on cognitive processes involved in employee choices is best captured by expectancy theory. This theory posits that individuals make decisions based on the expected outcomes of their actions, emphasizing the mental processes that influence how employees evaluate their efforts, performance, and eventual rewards. It suggests that employees assess the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes based on their efforts, which in turn influences their motivation and choices at work.

Expectancy theory includes three key components: expectancy (the belief that effort will lead to performance), instrumentality (the belief that performance will lead to outcomes), and valence (the value the individual places on the outcomes). Together, these elements highlight how employees think about their work and the decisions they make based on their expectations of success.

In contrast, the other options either do not specifically address cognitive processes or focus on different aspects of motivation and leadership. For instance, motivation theory broadly encompasses various factors driving behavior but does not specifically hone in on the cognitive evaluations employees make. Transactional leadership focuses on the relationship between leaders and followers regarding exchanges and agreements rather than the internal decision-making process. Instrumentality theory, while related to expectancy theory, is not a standalone theory but a part of the larger expectancy framework, specifically dealing with the connection between performance and reward