Two terms used throughout the need discussions are defined below:

Need Conflicts: Within a particular dimension some needs conflict with each other because they evoke incompatible behavior if they are expressed synchronically (simultaneously). For example, the aggression and nurturance needs evoke incompatible behavior in all three dimensions. Needs that conflict in a particular dimension are located in opposite areas of that dimension (see Target Model) indicating that they are not normally activated synchronically in that dimension.

Mal Adaptive Need Fusion: Needs that normally produce conflicting behavior when synchronically evoked in a particular dimension are sometimes combined or fused despite resulting conflicts. Mal adaptive fusion creates frustrations and problems. For example, in the combative dimension, when the aggression and succorance needs are synchronically activated, the fused behavioral expression may take the form of whining and complaining that does not effectively express either the aggression need or the succorance need.

The Exhibition Need
(The need to express ideas and exhibit one's talents and abilities)

The benefits of being able to gain the attention of others start at birth. Infants need attention from those who take care of them. Being noticed becomes associated with good sensations such as being fed and changed and held and rocked. Being unnoticed becomes associated with discomfort, of being nothing or nobody, and with neglect. Young children have been known to do almost anything to be noticed - even if the kind of attention they get is punishment and disapproval.

Some adult behavior is also motivated by an excessive desire for attention. Dangerous, violent, and even self-destructive acts are sometimes performed for publicity and attention. Most attention seeking behavior, however, is of a more positive nature. The motives for entering politics, the military, athletics, and the arts and sciences may be strongly based on desires for recognition. Success in any activity usually brings the reward of recognition. Fantasies of becoming a hero are particularly vivid and strongly motivating for young people.

As with all needs, the exhibition need operates at both conscious and unconscious levels. Unconscious exhibition is often concealed by other needs that are felt to be more acceptable than a desire for attention. A politician or businessman may, for example, join a service organization, ostensibly to serve the community, when the primary motive is a desire to gain recognition through identification with the organization. The exhibition need is also variable with regard to the audience it is intended to impress. A scientist may seek recognition from a small group of other scientists whereas a TV star may feel there is no such thing as bad publicity. The exhibition need does not always require an immediate audience to motivate a person. A scientist, philosopher, or writer may be motivated by desires for recognition that are not expected to be fulfilled for years. Some people only expect to be recognized by posterity. Such people are able to meet their need for attention through fantasy and anticipation.

The basic ways to get attention are to be different and to be active. To avoid attention we can be camouflaged (not differ from our background) and not move. Animals that do not want to be noticed develop the coloration and appearance of their background and remain still. A positive way to gain attention is to develop desirable status, skills, knowledge, or appearance. In the combative dimension, to have the power to act forcefully and effectively commands attention. The close association between the exhibition, autonomy, and sex needs suggests that a particularly good combination for gaining attention is to be individualistic, spontaneous, independent, and sexually attractive. Performers, entertainers, politicians, and others who must hold the attention of the public try to develop these qualities.

The exhibition and sex needs are closely associated throughout the animal world. In animal courtship, the first step is to get a potential mate's attention. Some ways to accomplish this are illustrated by the peacock spreading its plumage, fireflies sending blinking signal patterns, and the many animals that signal receptivity by scent and behavioral rituals. Because satisfaction of the exhibition need is based on individualistic, different and unique characteristics and behavior, it is a factor for evolutionary change, especially change associated with the sex need.

Advertising is an exhibition of products based on the same principles that apply to personal exhibition. Advertisers present products as distinctive, better, more potent, readily attainable and sexually enhancing. Advertising usually stresses positive qualities but "negative advertising", as used in political campaigns, is a combative form of exhibition where the advertiser seeks to destroy the credibility of opponents.

Among humans, the exhibition need extends beyond the self and is indirectly satisfied by recognition given to people, things, and organizations with which we identify. When a child receives an award, the parents participate vicariously in the recognition. The exhibition need is a motivating force for groups and institutions as well as for individuals. Athletic teams, colleges, military organizations, etc., seek recognition and its members share in the recognition received. The same principles that apply to individuals seeking attention apply to groups seeking attention.

The Function of the Exhibition Need
The function of the exhibition need is to gain the attention of others. The importance of the exhibition need becomes evident if we imagine the consequences of being totally invisible. An invisible (and unheard) person could not change or affect others or give and receive love and affection. Humans cannot survive, either physically or psychologically, without the ability to make their presence known to others. For humans and most animals, selective breeding results from the successful display of attractive qualities and abilities. Biological changes in animal species results from selective breeding.

Problems Related to the Exhibition Need

People who over-emphasize the exhibition need are referred to as egocentrics, ego-trippers, show-offs, "hams" etc. Such people see all the world as a stage and all the people in it as their audience. Show-offs are generally resented, even when they are good performers, because they do not allow others an opportunity to exhibit. Also, the chronic attention seeker tends to become boring since even good acts cannot bear constant repetition. Chronic exhibition has some of the characteristics of an addiction. An attention "fix" becomes necessary to avoid the pain of being ignored. The fear of being unnoticed is most apt to develop in childhood and adolescence in a family or school environment where attention is received only as a reward for performance or appearance.

Some people are egocentric but view themselves so negatively that they feel they have nothing that could be appreciated by others. These beliefs can lead to what Andras Angyal has called vicarious living (see Chapter 10, Neurosis and Treatment). People who live vicariously feel it is unacceptable to "be themselves" but they also feel it is terribly important to impress others positively. To satisfy these beliefs and values, they become actors in everyday life, adept at discerning the values of others and clever at playing roles that impress and please others. Since people who live vicariously seldom express their own thoughts and feelings, they tend to lose their identity and become unable to differentiate their own beliefs and feelings from those of the characters they impersonate. Normally, the exhibition need is expressed by revealing one's real self - our spontaneous feelings and the beliefs to which we are committed. When our self presentation is authentic, feedback can help us correct our real faults and reinforce our real positive qualities.

People who seem generally unable to assert the exhibition need, even vicariously, usually suffer from unrealistic beliefs that they are insignificant, that they are nothing or nobody, and not worthwhile. These beliefs naturally cause them to feel depressed. Because many of their previous attempts to gain attention resulted in failure, punishment, or even harm, they believe that all attempts are likewise doomed to failure and rejection. Instead of learning when and how to assert their need for exhibition, they suppress all their natural desires for attention.

Probably the most common problem related to the exhibition need is the ordinary case of stage fright. We do not have to be an actor getting ready to go on stage to suffer this type of anxiety. Delivering a speech, reciting in class, being interviewed on radio or TV, or any form of audience-oriented performance can trigger this type of panic attack. Trembling, cardiac and respiratory change, sweating, and voice constriction are some of the common symptoms of performance anxiety. Performance anxiety is produced by the simultaneous arousal of the exhibition and inferiority avoidance needs. The victim of this conflict wishes to perform well for the audience but at the same time fantasizes humiliating failure.

An implicit assumption that may help trigger audience anxiety is an unrealistic belief that the audience is monolithic - that it will respond as a unit with either total rejection or solid acclaim. This belief increases the psychological stakes to the point where failing is seen as catastrophic. In reality, most audiences are quite pluralistic in their responses and will have a variety of reactions to most any performance. From this point-of-view, expectations are not dichotomized and the performer can realistically expect to receive sympathetic but mixed reactions rather than either a standing ovation or total rejection.

Another contributing cause of exhibition anxiety are failure fantasies. It is easy to creatively imagine scenarios of a future performance that result in failure and humiliation. If we let our fantasies assume the status of reality we can develop as much anxiety as an actual occurrence of failure. Many of the most successful performers report tremendous anxiety before each performance. Most learn to appreciate the energy produced by all that adrenaline and look on their anxiety as a helpful resource for their performance.

Dimension Locations of the Exhibition Need

The exhibition need is normally located in the combative area of the combative dimension but it is close to the mid-point of the dimension. In this location, the exhibition need supports mild combative self-assertion but is not as active in stronger forms of combative action. Opponents may exhibit their strength and power before starting serious combative action in the hope that this will intimidate their adversaries. In its mid dimension location, the exhibition need is also close to the play need so the two needs can combine to allow people (and animals) to play and pretend to be combative.

The exhibition need is normally located in the impersonal area of the personal dimension. This location keeps it from being active in personal and social interactions. A strong expression of the exhibition need in a social situation tends to create a performer-audience situation that is incompatible with the equal give-and-take of personal-social interactions. People tell stories, reveal their thoughts and feelings, and entertain each other in social situations but these actions should be expressed in a sharing rather than a performing mode.

The exhibition need is normally located very high in the competitive area of the competitive dimension. This location indicates that exhibition is a strong competitive motivator. People spend much time and energy in attempts to gain recognition and approval. Competitive rewards (medals, ranks, titles, etc.) are meant to be exhibited or displayed and the desire to obtain them is a strong performance motivator. Expressions of admiration and approval (such as applause) strongly motivate performers.

Exhibition Dislocated in the Non Combative Area of the Combative Dimension

If the exhibition need is dislocated in the non combative area, it may indicate an aversion to exhibiting one's power in combative situations. Failing to display one's strength in a combative situation may encourage adversaries to be more combative since they see nothing to fear. A show of strength often inhibits opponents. In the non combative area, the exhibition need is surrounded by inhibitive needs that may produce inner conflicts with the exhibition need.

Exhibition Located Too Near the Periphery of the Combative Area of the Combative Dimension

An extremely peripheral location of the exhibition need in the combative area may place too much emphasis on exhibition in combative situations. While exhibition can be effective in moderate forms of combative self-assertion, a highly combative situation requires emphasis on actual aggressive and defensive action rather than a "show" of force and power.

Exhibition Dislocated in the Personal Area of the Personal Dimension

When the exhibition need is dislocated in the personal area it may create a tendency to competitively seek attention in personal-social relationships. If this kind of "up-staging" happens too often in social situations it can make friends unhappy. Most people prefer their personal and social relationships to be on an equal "give-and-take" basis rather than an unequal "star and audience" basis.

Exhibition Located Too Near the Periphery in the Impersonal Area of the Personal Dimension

When the exhibition need is located near the periphery (relative to other needs) in the impersonal area it is too opposed to personal-social interactions. When it is active, it overly inhibits personal needs so that attention is sought without regard for social considerations. It may also interfere with attempts to impersonally resolve personal conflicts.

Exhibition Dislocated in the Noncompetitive Area of the Competitive Dimension

The desire for recognition is very important for motivating people to strive for excellence and superiority and to advance from learner to leader or expert. If the exhibition need is missing in competitive motivation, competitive motivation is seriously weakened.

Exhibition Located Too Near the Periphery of the Competitive Area of the Competitive Dimension

The exhibition need is normally located very strongly (toward the periphery) in the competitive area so it is unusual for it to be located even more toward the periphery (relative to other needs). This location places the exhibition need almost "out of reach" so that it is infrequently activated. When it is activated, however, it is apt to be too strong and too far removed from other competitive needs for the support.