Firo-B® 

(Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation)   


This instrument is designed to measure peoples interpersonal needs. It determines the need for inclusion, control and openness (affection).  Furthermore, it measures the degree of  each desire and the extent how much each desire is expressed.
 

Understanding the difference between what one wants and what one is getting can be extremely helpful for people to function and work together effectively. 

Firo-B® reveals how individuals communicate, relate and understand their own personal wishes, and how they deal with the desires of the people around them.

Firo-B® explained   

The Firo-B® measures your interpersonal needs in three areas: INCLUSION, CONTROL and AFFECTION: 

INCLUSION (I) The need for Inclusion relates to forming new relations and associating with others. It determines the extent of contact and prominence that a person seeks. Some descriptors associated with Inclusion are:   

  • association
  • involvement
  • acknoweldgement

  • belonging
  • participation

  • acceptance
  • recognition
 

  • attention
  • contact
 

CONTROL (C)  The need for Control relates to decision-making, influence, and persuasion between people. It determines the extent of power or dominance that a person seeks. Some descriptors associated with Control are:  

  • decision
  • leadership
  • regulation

  • power
  • responsibility
  • direction
 

  • authority
  • consistency
  • structure

  • influence
  • management
  • regulation

    AFFECTION (A) The need for Affection relates to emotional ties and warm connections between people. It determines the extent of closeness that a person seeks. Some descriptors associated with Affection are:  

    • loyalty
    • faithfulness
    • empathy

    • support
    • sensitivity
    • consensus

    • warmth
    • openness
    • affirmation

    • closeness
    • personal ties
     

    For each of the three interpersonal needs – Inclusion, Control, and Affection – the Firo-B® also provides a measure of how much each need is expressed or wanted.

     

    EXPRESSED (e) The extent to which you will initiate or encourage the behavior is called the Expressed dimension of that need.
    It is about what you actually do and it can be observed by others. 

    Expressed Inclusion: To which extent do you act in ways that encourage your participation in situations? How much do you include other people in your life? 

    Expressed Control: To which extent do you act in ways that help you direct or influence situations? How directive are you and how much influence and responsibility are you assuming? 

    Expressed Affection: How close and personal are you with others? To which extent do you act in ways that encourage warmth and closeness in relationships?  

     

    WANTED (w) The extent to which you want or will accept that behaviour from others is called the Wanted dimension of the need. It is about what you really want from others – whether you show it openly or not show it. 

    Wanted Inclusion: How much do you want to be part of other's activities? How much attention, contact and recognition do you expect from others?

    Wanted Control: How willing are you to accept direction from others? How  much leadership and influence do you want others to assume?

    Wanted Affection: How much warmth and closeness do you want from others? How much support and affirmation do you expect from others?

     

    The Firo-B® was developed and introduced by Dr. Will Schutz in 1958. This instrument is the product of continued development, which has strengthened its validity to be an expanded and highly evolved personality tool.  

    Firo-B® is the principal psychometric instruments to complement the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®.