then you can get the idea. But we keep it simple. According to Vroom's theory, you should multiply a particular first degree outcome's instrumentality for a second degree outcome with the valence of that second degree outcome and if you sum up all those products, you get your total valence. And total valence could be positive or negative. If you have no positive associations at all with the particular outcome you have zero valence, zero motivation. You might have some positive associations, but they might be cancelled, they might be overshadowed by negative balances, and that would also mean zero motivation in the end.