Reasonable Expectation and Prediction

Reasonable Expectation and Prediction are often thought of as being the same; they are not. Prediction has a level of precision that is greater than Reasonable Expectation and Prediction can be derived from Reasonable Expectation. Reasonable Expectation has a level of accuracy that is greater than Prediction, however, Reasonable Expectation can only be derived from many different Predictions.

Reasonable Expectation can be observed something like this. Driving, most of us have done it, if not, we've been along for the ride in some form. From experience, a.k.a. Past History, you have a developed sense of what to expect when on the road. As an example, vehicles going by in the opposite direction on the other side of the road. You know from Past History that depending on a few factors like time, place, weather, road conditions and known road repairs; you can make an educated guess as to the number of vehicles that might pass by in a given interval of time. It could be 1 min, 5 min, 30 min, an hour. It does not matter what kind, make and model vehicle it is. 

Prediction on the other hand would have not only the number of vehicles, but also the kind, make, model, color and number of persons inside. Prediction is more exacting and precise than Reasonable Expectation. Prediction is also more incorrect than Reasonable Expectation in a Truly Random Setting.

When someone says they're making a prediction, often it's more along the lines of Reasonable Expectation. A way to differentiate between the two is to ask very specific questions related to the subject of discussion. If the responses are generalized, then it's Reasonable Expectation. If the responses are detailed, then it may be a Prediction.