Will Schutz presented FIRO theory, and the personality assessment instrument FIRO-B to social psychology in 1958. The theory encompasses the dimensions of Inclusion, Affection and Control:
– Need for Inclusion, whether one wants to be “in” or “out” of a particular group
– Need for Affection, whether one wants to be “close” or “distant”
– Need for Control, whether one wants to be “up” or “down”
FIRO-B measures these three dimensions from two perspectives, Expressed and Wanted:
- Expressed behavior – behavior one feels most comfortable showing
- Wanted behavior – behavior one wants to be demonstrated by others
The Firo-B helps people to:
- Understand their styles and resulting behaviour
- Understand their needs and expectations from others
- Recognize the value of different styles
Organizations use the Firo-B for:
- Leadership development – increasing self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness
- Team building and team development – enhancing compatibility, communication and decision making
- Relationship coaching – identifying and resolving possible sources of incompatibility
Benefits
- Offers insights into interpersonal needs and behaviours
- Provides practical suggestions for improving relationships and increasing effectiveness
- Examines relationship styles, while other personality instruments may focus on individual characteristics