Final answer:
Expectancy theory suggests that individuals are motivated to act based on their expectations of achieving desired outcomes. This involves a rational decision-making process similar to Rational Choice Theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that holds that people consciously explore different behaviors and systematically choose those that result in the most desirable outcomes is c) Expectancy theory. Expectancy theory posits that individuals are motivated to act based on their expectations about the likelihood that their efforts will lead to desired outcomes and the value they place on those outcomes. This approach to understanding motivation is often associated with the work of Victor Vroom. Individuals evaluate the effort-outcome probability and the value of the rewards before engaging in an action, leading to a rational decision-making process similar to what is described in Rational Choice Theory (RCT) for sociological phenomena such as religious behavior.