fei75766_ch18_569-609.indd 579  02/24/20 10:50 AM
Chapter 18     Rotter and Mischel: Cognitive Social Learning Theory579
oneself, andtoattain goals without thehelpofothers. Declining helpinrepairing a
bicycle could demonstrate theneed forindependence.
Protection-Dependency  Asetofneeds nearly opposite independence arethose of
protection anddependency. Thiscategory includes theneeds tobecared forby
others, tobeprotected from frustration andharm, andtosatisfy theother need 
categories. Aspecific example ofprotection-dependency isasking yourspouse to
stayhome from work andtakecareofyouwhen youareill.
Love and Affection  Most people havestrong needs forloveandaffection: thatis,
needs foracceptance byothers thatgobeyond recognition andstatus toinclude 
some indications thatother people havewarm, positive feelings forthem. Theneeds 
forloveandaffection include those behaviors aimed toward securing friendly regard, 
interest, anddevotion from others. Doing favors forothers inanticipation ofreceiv -
ingverbal expressions ofpositive regard andgratitude might beanexample ofthis
need.
Physical Comfort  Physical comfort isperhaps themost basic need because other 
needs arelearned inrelation toit.Thisneed includes those behaviors aimed at
securing food, good health, andphysical security. Other needs arelearned asan
outgrowth ofneeds forpleasure, physical contact, andwell-being. Turning ontheair
conditioner orhugging another person areexamples oftheneed forphysical comfort.
Need Components
Aneed complex hasthree essential components— need potential, freedom of move -
ment, andneed value —and these components areanalogous tothemore specific con-
cepts ofbehavior potential, expectancy, andreinforcement value (Rotter, Chance, &
Phares, 1972).
Need Potential  Need potential (NP)refers tothepossible occurrence ofasetof
functionally related behaviors directed toward satisfying thesame orsimilar goals. 
Need potential isanalogous tothemore specific concept ofbehavior potential. The
difference between thetwoisthatneed potential refers toagroup offunctionally 
related behaviors, whereas behavior potential isthelikelihood thataparticular 
behavior willoccur inagiven situation inrelation toaspecific reinforcement.
Need potential cannot bemeasured solely through observation ofbehavior. If
different people areseenbehaving inapparently thesame manner—for example, eat-
inginafancy restaurant—one should notconclude thattheyareallsatisfying thesame 
need potential. Oneperson maybesatisfying theneed forphysical comfort, thatis,
food; another maybemore interested inloveandaffection; andthethird person may
betrying primarily tosatisfy theneed forrecognition-status. Probably anyofthesix
broad needs could besatisfied byeating inthisrestaurant. Whether ornotone’s need 
potential isrealized, however, depends notonlyonthevalue orpreference onehas
forthatreinforcement butalsoonone’s freedom ofmovement inmaking responses 
leading tothatreinforcement.Final PDF to printer