GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE Psychology GlossaryExpectation

Expectation - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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Expectation in psychology refers to what a person thinks will happen in the future based on their beliefs or past experiences.

It's like having a mental picture of what you predict or hope will occur in certain situations. For example, if you've always done well in maths exams, you might expect to do well in future exams too. Expectations can influence how we feel and behave because they can affect our confidence and motivation.

In psychology, understanding expectations is important because they can shape a person's mindset and experiences.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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