Declarative information in the form of expectations can be utilized to influence choices and direct action. They offer details on the risks and rewards of potential outcomes of a specific course of action. Dickinson (1985) asserts that expectations are not just a type of knowledge but also a type of knowledge that is arranged in a hierarchy. This hierarchical structure is crucial because it enables expectations to more effectively and consistently drive behavior. Expectations are created via experience and serve as an internal representation of the results that one could anticipate from taking a particular action. They therefore provide a means of foretelling the future. An individual is more inclined to carry out a specific activity, for instance, if they anticipate it going well. Similar to this, people are more inclined to avoid a certain activity if they anticipate anything bad from it.
Expectations also influence behavior. An individual is more likely to execute a given activity when they have high expectations for it because they believe the benefits will outweigh the work required.