Expectation refers to a belief or anticipation about what is likely to happen in the future. It is a mental state that involves predicting or imagining a certain outcome or result based on previous experiences, knowledge, or assumptions. Expectations can be conscious or unconscious and can influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They can also shape our perceptions and evaluations of events or situations. Expectations can be realistic or unrealistic, and they can vary from person to person.