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FUNDAMENTAL INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONS ORIENTATION (FIRO)
FIRO-B
14 December
2015
 Measuring Interpersonal Competence FIRO-B
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Fundamental interpersonal relations orientation (FIRO) is a theory of

interpersonal relations, introduced by William Schutz in 1958. FIRO-B can be
defined as the way in which an individual characteristically relates to other
people.
This theory mainly explains the interpersonal underworld of a small group.
The theory is based on the belief that when people get together in a group,
there are three main interpersonal needs they are looking to obtain
affection/openness, control and inclusion.
Schutz developed a measuring instrument that contains six scales of nine-item
questions that he called FIRO-B.
This technique was created to measure or control how group members feel
when it comes to inclusion, control, and affection/openness (interpersonal
needs) or to be able to get feedback from people in a group.
These categories measure how much interaction a person wants in the areas
of socializing, leadership and responsibilities, and14more
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December 2015 personal
relations. FIRO-B was created, based on this theory
 FIRO B
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Schutz himself discussed the impact of extreme behavior in the

areas of inclusion, control, and affection as indicated by scores on
the FIRO-B.
For each area of interpersonal need the following three types of
behavior would be evident: (1) deficient, (2) excessive, and (3) ideal.
Deficient was defined as indicating that an individual was not
trying to directly satisfy the need.
Excessive was defined as indicating that an individual was

constantly trying to satisfy the need.

Ideal referred to satisfaction of the need. From this, he identified
the following types:
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 Objectives Of FIRO-B
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To construct a measure of how an individual acts in

interpersonal situations and
To construct a measure that will lead to the prediction
of interaction between people.
An instrument for emotional intelligence awareness
Self-Awareness
Communication
Building Relationships
Conflict Management

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 FIRO-B
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What it does:
Aids in understanding ones behavior and its effect on others

Increases your awareness of your natural strengths and

weaknesses
Suggests possibilities for improving the way you relate to
others
When to use it:
Almost anytime - It is short, quick to take and score, and
surprisingly insightful. It is often used to compliment other
instruments.

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 FIRO-B is designed to measure
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The individuals behaviour towards others)

The behaviour he wants from others
In the three areas of interpersonal interaction i.e
-Inclusion (I)
-Control (C)
-Affection (A)

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 Inclusion (I)
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Behaviour directed towards the satisfaction of the interpersonal

need of inclusion, the need to maintain and establish a
satisfactory relation with people with regards to association.
Inclusion connotes interaction with people, attention,
acknowledgement being known, prominence, recognition, prestige,
individuality, understanding, interest, commitment and
participation.
Unlike affection it does not cannotes strong emotional attachment
to people.
Unlike control the preoccupation is with prominence not
dominance.
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 Control (C)
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Behaviour directed to satisfy the interpersonal need

for control, the need to maintain a satisfactory
relation with people with respect to power and
authority (control).
It relates to making decisions, discipline, goal settings,
dominance, guidance, giving directions, influencing,
ruling, leading, antonyms to control would be
rebellion, resistance, following, anarchy and
submission.

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 Affection (A)
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Behaviour directed toward the satisfaction of

interpersonal need for affection and love. It centers
around feelings of warmth, love and emotional
acceptance, friendship.
Lack of affection would mean cool emotionally
distant, dislike and hate.
Affection involves sharing ones inner anxieties,
wishes and feelings.

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Inclusion is concerned with IN or OUT

Control is concerned with TOP or BOTTOM

Affection is concerned with CLOSE or FAR

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 The FIRO-B instrument measures two
dimensions for each need:
EXPRESSED
The behaviours a person expresses towards others
(the behaviour that is actually initiated by you)

WANTED
How the person wants others to behave or feel
towards them
(the behaviour that is desired or you wish to
receive)

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 Essentially, FIRO-B measures:

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 Frequency
How often the behaviour will be shown
Selectivity
(Fussiness)
How many people will the behaviour be
shown to

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 Theory
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Group Development
Inclusion Issues

Control Issues
Affection Issues

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 Theory
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Group Development

Should I go for
a boat ride?

Who is running the motor?

What is my relationship
to others on the boat?
Self-Awareness

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 FIRO-B Individual Cell Scores: View Your
Personal Cell Scores
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eI eC eA
expressed expressed expressed
inclusion control affection

wI wC wA
wanted wanted wanted
inclusion control affection

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1. Inclusion types.
the undersocial (low EI, low WI) E=Expressed, W=Wanted

the oversocial (high EI, high WI)

the social (moderate EI, moderate WI)

2. Control types
the abdicrat (low EC, high WC)

the autocrat (high EC, low WC)

the democrat (moderate EC, moderate WC)

3. Affection types
the underpersonal (low EA, low WA)

the overpersonal (high EA, high WA)

the personal (moderate EA moderate WA)

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