Expectations

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This article is about the concept of expectation as a thought or belief. For expectation in the context of probability theory and statistics, see expected value.

In the case of uncertainty, expectation is what is considered the most likely to happen. An expectation, which is a belief that is centred on the future, may or may not be realistic. A less advantageous result gives rise to the emotion of disappointment. If something happens that is not at all expected it is a surprise.

Expectations as cognitions can affect choices and behavior

Particularly in social sciences including game theory, expectation plays one of the central roles. In game theory, a Nash equilibrium constitutes a correct and stable set of expectations held by the players. Various other solution concepts of games such as rationalizability have been proposed according to how much knowledge players have on the expectation of other players' actions.

Particular sets of expectations which have been studied include:

• Experimenter expectations
• Parental expectations
• Role expectations
• Teacher expectations

Expectations met or exceeded are associated with satisfaction while frustration is caused when they are not met.

See also

• Collective belief
• Delusion
• Estimation
• Future
• Gettier problem
• Halo effect
• Hope
• Nocebo
• Observer-expectancy effect
• Placebo
• Propositional attitude
• Propositional knowledge
• Self-deception
• Self efficacy
• Self-fulfilling prophecy
• Subject-expectancy effect
• Suggestibility
• Suggestion
• Truth
• Thomas theorem
• Unintended consequence