Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Behavior (FIRO-B)

Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Behavior (FIRO-B) was initially

developed in 1958 by U.S. psychologist William C. Schutz (1925–2002). It is a theory of
interpersonal relations that helps to assess a person’s interactional needs in a group
setting. It evaluates both expressed (demonstrated to others) and wanted (desired from
others) dimensions for each of three fundamental social needs i—inclusion, control and
affectionii.
1. Inclusion: It is the desire to be part of a group and to be accepted by a group. This
behaviour directed towards the satisfaction of the interpersonal need of inclusion,
the need to maintain and establish a satisfactory relations with people with regards
to association. Inclusion indicates interaction with people, attention,
acknowledgement being known, prominence, recognition, prestige, individuality,
understanding, interest, commitment and participation iii.
2. Control: It corresponds to the need for power. It is the need to guide the group by
organizing and maintaining the group's process. People with control bahaviour
directed to satisfy the interpersonal need for control, the need to maintain a
satisfactory relation with people with respected to power and authority. Control
mainly relates to making decision, discipline, goal setting, dominance, guidance,
giving directions, influencing, ruling, and leading.
3. Affection: It is also known as openness. It is the desire to experience warm,
positive with others which is similar to the need for intimacy. People with affection
behaviour directed toward the satisfaction of interpersonal need for affection and
love. It centers around feelings of warmth, love and emotional acceptance and
friendship. Affection mainly involves sharing one's inner anxieties, wishes and
feelings.
Group offer members a way to satisfy these basic needs. If, for example a lady has a
strong need to receive and express inclusion, she will probably prefer to do things in a
group rather than to perform tasks individually. If she needs to express control, she may
seek membership in a group that she can control. Or if she wishes to receive affection
from others, she may seek out other people who seem warm and friendly. In general,
then, the greater the intensity of these needs in any given individual, the more likely the
person is to take steps to create or seek out membership in a groupiv.

i
https://dictionary.apa.org/fundamental-interpersonal-relations-orientation-behavior-scale
ii
Forsyth, D.R. (2006). Group Dynamics. USA: Thomson Higher Education, p. 106.
iii
https://www.slideshare.net/GauriTomar1/firo-b-tool-introduction
iv
Forsyth, D.R. (2006). Ibid., p. 107.