You feel dissatisfied when you got less than the standard you were expecting. For example, when you booked a hotel room with ocean view that turns out to overlook a brick wall, when you receive negative feedback for a job you though you did very well, or when your team did not make it to the finals. In each case, you expect a certain standard of quality, comfort, pleasure, or performance that is not fulfilled. The expectation that underlies the dissatisfaction goes beyond a neutral assumption of what is probable to happen, like the expectation that the sun will rise in the morning. There is also a sense that the expected thing should happen1, for instance, because you spent money (e.g. paying for good service) or effort (e.g. studying for a good grade) on it, or because you are naturally entitled to it (e.g. being treated respectfully). Secondly, there is a level of malleability or influence involved in the outcome. You feel that the unfulfilling outcome is not fixed and final, and that it should be changed so that it does meet your expectations2.
In the comic, Murphy receives a sandwich that leaves much to be desired – the bread is wrong and the ingredients are overcooked or artificial.
