Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation

Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO) is a theory of interpersonal relations, introduced by William Schutz in 1958.

Description

According to the theory, three dimensions of interpersonal relations are necessary and sufficient to explain most human interaction. The dimensions are called Inclusion, Control and Affection. These categories measure how much interaction a person wants in the areas of socializing, leadership and responsibilities, and more intimate personal relations. FIRO-B was created, based on this theory, a measurement instrument with scales that assess the behavioral aspects of the three dimensions. Scores are graded from 0-9 in scales of expressed and wanted behavior, which define how much a person expresses to others, and how much he wants from others. Schutz believed that FIRO scores in themselves were not terminal, and can and do change, and did not encourage typology; however, the four temperaments were eventually mapped to the FIRO-B scales, which led to the creation of a theory of Five Temperaments.

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:

Inclusion types.
# the undersocial (low EI, low WI)
# the oversocial (high EI, high WI)
# the social (moderate EI, moderate WI)

Control types
# the abdicrat (low EC, high WC)
# the autocrat (high EC, low WC)
# the democrat (moderate EC, moderate WC)

Affection types
# the underpersonal (low EA, low WA)
# the overpersonal (high EA, high WA)
# the personal (moderate EA moderate WA)

In 1977, a clinical psychologist who worked with FIRO-B, Dr. Leo Ryan, produced maps of the scores for each area, called "locator charts", and assigned names for all of the score ranges in his "Clinical Interpretation of FIRO-B":

FIRO-B and MBTI Correlations
* "p" < .05
**"p" < .01
***"p" < .001
Negative correlations associated with E, S, T and J.
Positive correlations associated with I, N, F and P.

Element B and MBTI Correlations
*Indicates statistical significance

References

* cite book
last = Ryan | first = Leo R.
title = Clinical Interpretation of the FIRO-B | year = 1977
publisher = Consulting Psychologists Press. | location = Palo Alto, CA
* cite journal
last = Schnell | first = E. | coauthors = A. Hammer, | year = 1997
title = Integrating the FIRO-B with the MBTI: Relationships, case examples, and interpretation strategies
journal = Developing Leaders | location = Palo Alto, CA | publisher = Davies-Black Publishing
* cite book
last = Schutz | first = W.C. | year = 1958
title = FIRO: A Three Dimensional Theory of Interpersonal Behavior | location = New York, NY | publisher = Holt, Rinehart, & Winston
* cite web
last = Thompson | fisrt = H | year = 2000
title = FIRO Element B and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator correlations | location = Watkinsville, GA |publisher = High Performing Systems, Inc.
url = http://www.hpsys.com/Articles/Why_FIRO_ElementB.htm
* cite web
url = http://www.olmsteadassoc.com/file_manager/files/docs/Dissertation-26-50.pdf
first = John W. | last = Olmstead | year = 1999 | month = July
title = An Exploratory Approach for Addressing Leadership Characteristics in Law Firms Using the Case of a Voluntary Bar Association
publisher = Century University
* cite web
url = http://www.asn.csus.edu/coms/faculty/Owen_IPNeeds.pdf
title = Interpersonal Needs
first = William | last = Owen