Anticipation vs. Expectation: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
Anticipation is the act of looking forward to something with excitement, while expectation involves a belief or assumption that something will happen based on reason or experience.
Key Differences
Anticipation is the feeling of excitement or pleasure about something that is going to happen. It often carries a positive connotation, suggesting eagerness and enjoyment in looking forward to an event or outcome. Expectation, on the other hand, refers to a belief that something will happen or is likely to occur based on reason, experience, or planning. Expectations can be positive or negative and are more neutral in emotional tone compared to anticipation.
While anticipation is more emotional and often linked to positive feelings, expectation is more cognitive and grounded in reasoning or assumptions. Anticipation involves looking forward with eagerness, whereas expectation involves predicting or assuming based on prior knowledge or logic.
In social contexts, anticipation can create excitement and motivate people, as it is driven by the positive emotions connected to future events. Expectation can lead to planning and preparedness, but it can also result in disappointment if the anticipated outcome does not occur.
Anticipation is proactive and involves an emotional response to the future, enhancing enjoyment and motivation. Expectation is reactive, based on past experiences or logical reasoning, and can shape behavior and planning for future outcomes.
The differences in connotation and emotional involvement between anticipation and expectation highlight their distinct roles in shaping human behavior and attitudes towards future events.
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Comparison Chart
Emotional Tone
Positive, Excited
Neutral, Based on Reason
Nature
Emotional
Cognitive
Context
Looking forward with excitement
Belief that something will happen
Example Scenario
Anticipating a holiday
Expecting a meeting to start on time
Possible Outcomes
Enhances enjoyment and motivation
Can lead to planning or disappointment
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Anticipation and Expectation Definitions
Anticipation
The feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.
There was great anticipation among the fans.
Expectation
A belief that something will happen.
There is an expectation that the team will win.
Anticipation
A state of being excited about a future event.
The anticipation of the new movie's release was palpable.
Expectation
A strong belief about what will happen or how someone should behave.
The teacher set clear expectations for the students.
Anticipation
Eager waiting for an event or occurrence.
The children waited in anticipation for the fireworks.
Expectation
The feeling that something is likely to happen.
His expectation of a promotion was justified by his hard work.
Anticipation
The pleasurable expectation of a future event.
He was in anticipation of his birthday party.
Expectation
The act of anticipating or foreseeing something.
The expectation of rain led them to bring umbrellas.
Anticipation
The act of expecting or foreseeing something; expectation or presentiment
"None are happy but by the anticipation of change.
Expectation
An assumption about a future event based on reason or experience.
She had high expectations for her performance.
Anticipation
An expectation
"His heart was light and his anticipations high" (Mark Twain).
Expectation
The act of expecting.
Anticipation
Action taken in order to prevent or counteract something
The police department's anticipation of unruly behavior after the championship game prevented mayhem.
Expectation
Eager anticipation
Eyes shining with expectation.
Anticipation
The use or assignment of funds, especially from a trust fund, before they are legitimately available for use.
Expectation
The state of being expected.
Anticipation
(Music) Introduction on a weak beat of one note of a new chord before the previous chord is resolved.
Expectation
Something expected
A result that did not live up to expectations.
Anticipation
The act of anticipating, taking up, placing, or considering something beforehand, or before the proper time in natural order.
Often the anticipation of a shot is worse than the pain of the stick.
Expectation
Expectations Prospects, especially of success or gain.
Anticipation
The eagerness associated with waiting for something to occur.
He waited with great anticipation for Christmas to arrive.
He waited in anticipation of the arrival of Christmas.
Expectation
The expected value of a random variable.
Anticipation
(finance) Prepayment of a debt, generally in order to pay less interest.
Expectation
The mean of a random variable.
Anticipation
(rhetoric) Prolepsis.
Expectation
The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.
Anticipation
(music) A non-harmonic tone that is lower or higher than a note in the previous chord and a unison to a note in the next chord.
Expectation
That which is expected or looked for.
Anticipation
(obsolete) Hasty notion; intuitive preconception.
Expectation
The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to occur; prospect of anything good to come, especially of property or rank.
Anticipation
The act of anticipating, taking up, placing, or considering something beforehand, or before the proper time in natural order.
So shall my anticipation prevent your discovery.
Expectation
The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event.
Anticipation
Previous view or impression of what is to happen; instinctive prevision; foretaste; antepast; as, the anticipation of the joys of heaven.
The happy anticipation of renewed existence in company with the spirits of the just.
Expectation
(statistics) The first moment; the long-run average value of a variable over many independent repetitions of an experiment.
Anticipation
Hasty notion; intuitive preconception.
Many men give themselves up to the first anticipations of their minds.
Expectation
(colloquial statistics) The arithmetic mean.
Anticipation
The commencing of one or more tones of a chord with or during the chord preceding, forming a momentary discord.
Expectation
The leaving of a disease principally to the efforts of nature to effect a cure.
Anticipation
Pleasurable expectation
Expectation
The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.
My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him.
Anticipation
Something expected (as on the basis of a norm);
Each of them had their own anticipations
An indicator of expectancy in development
Expectation
That which is expected or looked for.
Why our great expectation should be calledThe seed of woman.
Anticipation
The act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
Expectation
The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good to come, esp. of property or rank.
His magnificent expectations made him, in the opinion of the world, the best match in Europe.
By all men's eyes a youth of expectation.
Anticipation
Some early entity whose type or style anticipates a later one;
There were many anticipations of Darwinian theory
The hour glass was an anticipation of the clock
Expectation
The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event. Expectations are computed for or against the occurrence of the event.
Anticipation
Wishing with confidence of fulfillment
Expectation
The leaving of the disease principally to the efforts of nature to effect a cure.
Anticipation
The act of looking forward to something with excitement.
She felt a sense of anticipation before the concert.
Expectation
Belief about (or mental picture of) the future
Expectation
Wishing with confidence of fulfillment
Expectation
The feeling that something is about to happen
Expectation
The sum of the values of a random variable divided by the number of values
FAQs
What is anticipation?
Anticipation is the act of looking forward to something with excitement.
What is expectation?
Expectation is a belief or assumption that something will happen based on reason or experience.
Can expectation be negative?
Yes, expectations can be positive or negative based on reasoning.
Is anticipation always positive?
Yes, anticipation usually involves positive emotions like excitement.
How do anticipation and expectation differ in emotion?
Anticipation is more emotional and positive, while expectation is more neutral and cognitive.
Can expectation lead to disappointment?
Yes, if the expected outcome does not occur.
Which is more likely to enhance motivation, anticipation or expectation?
Anticipation, due to its emotional and positive nature.
Can you expect without anticipating?
Yes, you can believe something will happen without feeling excited about it.
Can anticipation lead to disappointment?
Less likely, as anticipation is usually about positive feelings.
Do both anticipation and expectation involve foresight?
Yes, both involve looking ahead, but in different ways.
Is anticipation more about feelings?
Yes, it is primarily about emotional excitement.
Is expectation more about reasoning?
Yes, it is based on logical reasoning or past experiences.
Is anticipation proactive?
Yes, it involves a proactive emotional response to the future.
Can expectations be about present circumstances?
No, they are typically about future events or outcomes.
Does anticipation always involve future events?
Yes, it is always about looking forward to something.
Can you anticipate without expecting?
Yes, you can look forward to something with excitement without having a specific belief it will happen.
Are expectations often based on past experiences?
Yes, they are grounded in past experiences and reasoning.
Is expectation reactive?
Yes, it is often based on past experiences and logical reasoning.
Can expectations shape behavior?
Yes, expectations can influence planning and behavior.
Can anticipation exist without prior experience?
Yes, it can arise from pure excitement about a future possibility.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
