“FUNDAMENTAL INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
ORIENTATION - BEHAVIOUR”
AIM :
To measure the expressed and wanted aspects of three human relation dimensions (inclusion, control and
affection) of interpersonal behaviour.
MATERIALS REQUIRED :
FIRO B Scale, Scoring key, Pencil
DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST :
The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation–Behavior™ (FIRO-B®) instrument was created in the
late 1950s by William Schutz, PhD. In developing the FIRO-B theory, Schutz began with the premise that
"people need people." He used the term interpersonal to indicate any interaction, real or imagined, occurring
between people. He used the term need to describe a psychological condition that, if not satisfied, leads to a
state of discomfort or anxiety. He posited that interpersonal needs could be grouped into three categories:
Inclusion, Control, and Affection. The FIRO-B model describes the interaction of these three categories of
interpersonal need along two dimensions: expressed and wanted. The FIRO-B instrument also measures
overall needs (e.g., Total - Inclusion, Control, Affection) and overall behaviors (e.g., Total - Expressed,
Wanted), and provides an overall Interpersonal Need Score. Respondents receive a numerical score as well
as a categorical score (low, medium, or high) for each measure.
FIRO-B inventory contains 54 statements, nine in each of the 6 sub scales. Three sub scales focuses on
behaviour wanted from others in the areas of the inclusion, control and affection. It measures the expression
of orientation by the degree to which one wants and includes others, control and lead others and is friendly
and personal with others. It also measures the desire for such behaviour from others by an individual. It
measures the extent to which one wants others to include him/her and invite them to join their activities,
express friendly and passionate feelings towards them.
FIRO-B inventory measures a person’s characteristic behaviour towards other people in three different
areas, producing six separate scores : three in expressed (E) behaviour and three in wanted (W) behaviour.
The six subs scales are as follows :
Expressed inclusion
Wanted inclusion
Expressed control
Wanted control
Expressed affection
Wanted affection
PROCEDURE :
The administration of the questionnaire usually takes about 12 to 15 minutes. The subject is asked to be
seated comfortably. The questionnaire booklet and the answer sheet is provided and is given instructions
as follows.
“ This booklet contains a few questions to asses on how you feel about certain aspects of behaviour.
Your responses need to be given simultaneously or immediately. D not ponder over each item for a long
time.
Place the number corresponding to the word or phrase in the scales given below that best applies to you
in the space provided at the left of each of the following statements. Some items may seem similar to
others, but in fact each question is different and should be answered without any regards to the others.
Specific instructions to the subject while filling FIRO-B, there is a recurring reminder to be as honest as
possible. This does not necessarily mean to doubt you, but rather meant to help you to identify the
possible places you could lie and rather provides with what you really are and not a made-up self
portrait.
Also, there are no right or wrong answers. High scores need not be the best and low scores be the worst.
Each question needs to be taken at its face value, without pondering deeper. ”
PRECAUTION :
Read instructions clearly to the subject.
Emphasize the importance of honesty.
SCORING :
The test is scored using a scoring key given in the manual. Each correct answers gets one point. The scores
are totalled for all six sub scales of the questionnaire. A maximum of 9 can be scored in each separate sub-
scale. Total scores for the total need of inclusion, control and affection are calculated. Scores for total
expressed behaviour and wanted behaviour is also calculated. Social interaction index is calculated by
adding either wanted or expressed behaviour scores. Another way to obtain the social interaction index is by
adding the total scores of inclusion, control and affection.
INTERPRETATION :
For individual 6 sub-scales, the interpretation are as follows :
0 - 1 : EXTREMELY LOW
2 - 3 : LOW
4 - 5 : AVERAGE
6 - 7 : HIGH
8 - 9 : EXTREMELY HIGH
For total needs of inclusion, control and affection, the interpretation are as follows :
0 - 5 : LOW
6 - 12 : AVERAGE
13 - 18 : HIGH
Interpretation for total expressed and wanted behaviour :
0 - 7 : LOW
8 - 19 : AVERAGE
20 - 27 : HIGH
Interpretation for social interaction index :
0 - 15 : LOW
16 - 26 : MEDIUM - LOW
27 - 38 : MEDIUM - HIGH
39 - 54 : HIGH
RESULT :
Table I represents the individual data of the subject in Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation -
Behaviour (FIRO-B).
TABLE I :
Table I shows the individual score of the subject RI on fundamental interpersonal relations orientation -
behaviour.
INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION
EXPRESSED BEHAVIOUR 07 01 07
WANTED BEHAVIOUR 03 02 07
TOTAL 10 03 14
SOCIAL INTERACTION INDEX : 27
INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION :
The fundamental interpersonal relations orientation - behaviour scale was administered to the subject RI, a
22 year old, pursuing postgraduation. This test measures the areas of inclusion, control and affection on two
different bases and inturn being, the expressed behaviour on three dimensions and the wanted behaviour.
When we look at the expressed behaviour of subject RI for inclusion, it shows a score of 07 and for the
wanted behaviour for inclusion, it shows that the score is 03. From this we can clearly see that the
expressed behaviour of inclusion is higher than the wanted behaviour of inclusion. This shows that the
subject is more towards expressing inclusiveness than wanting it from others.
When we look at the expressed behaviour of subject RI for control, it shows a score of 01 and for the
wanted behaviour for control, it shows that the score is 02. From this we can clearly come to a point that
both the expressed and wanted behviour of this subject is lower. This shows that the subject doesn’t
want to be controlled or being controlled by others.
When we look at the expressed behaviour of the subject RI for affection, it shows a score of 07 and for
the wanted behaviour for affection, it shows that the score is also 07. from this we can identify that both
the expressed and wanted behviour of the subject is high. This also shows that the subject is being
affectionate with others and also want affetion from others.
While examining the need for inclusion the score is 10, for control the score is 03 and for the affection the
score is 14. From this we can infer that the need for affection is higher, the need for inclusion is average and
the need for control is lower. The score for social interaction index of the subject is 27, which is in a
medium - high range.
INTROSPECTIVE REPORT :
“ I felt really empty while doing this assessment. I tried to finish the assessment as soon as possible as I was
very tired. I kind of guessed that it is somehow related to a person’s social life. ”
CONCLUSION :
The subject RI scored Medium - High on the total interpersonal needs.
REFERENCES :
Schutz, W.C. (1958). FIRO: A three dimensional theory of interpersonal behavior. New York: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston.
The FIRO-B test | Assessments | Career Assessment Site. (2023b, July 19). Career Assessment Site.
https://careerassessmentsite.com/tests/firo-business-firo-b-tests/about-the-firo-b/
