A note on the measurement of valence perceptions in expectancy theory research.

Recently, students of expectancy theory have begun to urge that the theory be tested as a within-person behavioral choice model. In these discussions, and in the research thus far conducted, it has been assumed that single measures of valence perceptions are adequate, presumably because these perceptions are not expected to vary much (if at all) across behavioral alternatives. This presumption was tested by examining the valence given by 702 male senior US Naval officers to 25 outcomes in 2 contexts: continuing in the active duty role and leaving the Navy to assume an anticipated retirement role. Results show that for most outcomes the ratings of valence perceptions differed across the 2 roles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)