FUNDAMENTAL INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

ORIENTATION - BEHAVIOUR (F.I.R.O.B)

Introduction
The Fl.R.O. scales are aseries of measuring instruments.
all derived from tne
theory originally presented in F.I.R.O. - AThree - Dimensional. Theory of Interpersonal
Behaviour for "Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation - Behaviour. It is ab4
item questionnaire which measures 3 fundamental dimensions of
relationships: Inclusion,Control and Affection. interpersonal
Inclusion' assesses the degree to which aperson associates with others.
'Control' measures the extent to which a person assumes responsibility, makes
decisions, or dominates people.
'Affection' reflects the degree to which a person becomes emotionally involved
with others. The test assumes that these three areas are fundamental in understanding
and predicting interpersonal behaviour.
The test is useful in understanding an individual's personality dimensions, in marital
counselling, family therapy, sensitivitytraining,in analysis of group dynamics or in any
other form of group counselling, or psychotherapy.
Problem
To determine the nature of a person's social adaptation. To assess a person's
characteristic behaviour towards other people in the area of Inclusion, Control and
Affection.
Plan
To administer the FI.R.O.-B. test and interpret the subject's
reference to the norms. responses with
Materials
1. FLR.O. -B. test questionnaire developed by William Schultz, which
of 54 items consists
2. Scoring Sheet.
3. Norms.
4 Writing materials
Procedure
The subject is seated comfortably in a well lit room with sufficient ventilation.
After establishing a good rapport with the subject, the FI.R.O.-B. questionnaire and
answer sheet are placed in front of the subject. The subject is given instructions and
doubts clarified. He/she starts answering the questionnaire. The questionnaire is
generally completed within 10-15 minutes. However, there is no time limit. After the
questionnaire is completed, the answer sheet is collected to score and interpret referring
to the norms.
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 Precautions
1. It is ensured that the subject has understood the instructions clearly.
2. The subject is cautioned against the repetitive nature of the questions.
Instruction
"This is atest to give you an adequate feedback on the oientation of your behaviour
which willhelp you to improve yourself in the required direction. Youshould be sincere
in answering. Never look for an ideal answer and put it as your answer. There are b4
youagree Tully
statements to which you can agree or disagree on a scale from1 to 6. If
your answer is 6. Oner
with a statement your answer is one and if you disagree totally,space provided against
answers in the
numbers are graded in between. Write your
question number in the scoring sheet. You may experience a sense oT
each
differentand is to be answered independently.
repetitiveness of items, but each item is
Analysis of Result
scoring keys. The subject gets score
of
Directions for scoringare printed on the
against each item serial
his answer corresponds to the alternatives given
1when
possible score obtainable on any scale is
9.
number inthe scoring key. The highest
the table,each variable, has 2 scores,symbolised by the letters 'e'
Asdenoted in
represent the person's 'expressed' or manifest behaviour in the
and 'w. The 'e' score
areas of Inclusion, Control and Affection.
'wanted' behaviour. These scores refer to
The w'Scores represent the person's
Inclusion, Control and Affection.
what the person wants from other people in the areas of in understanding and
Wanted behaviour is less directly observable and is valuable
predicting the person's behaviour.
Interpretation
Score on the F.l.R.0.-B. range from 0 -9. The closer the score is to the extremes
of the range, the more applicable are the following behavioural descriptions for high
and loW Scores in each area.

0-2 Low
3-6 Medium
7-9 High
I. Inclusion:(Reflects general social orientation)
a. Low expressed score - Subject is uncomfortable around people and
will move away form them.
b. High expressed score- Subject is comfortable in social settings ald
will move towards people.
C. Low wanted score
-Subject is selective in his associations.
d. High wanted score
-Subject has strong need to belongand to be accepted.

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 I. Control : (Reflects Leadership behaviour)
a. Low expressed score Subject avoids making decisions and taking g
responsibility.
b. High expressed score - Subject takes on Leadership responsibility.
c. Low wanted score - Subject does not want to be controlledby others.
d. High wanted score - Subject accepts control from others. (For some women
'high wanted score' may be a measure of 'tolerance'
rather than control desired)
I. Affection : (Reflects need for deep relationships)
a. Low expressed score - Subject is cautious about initiating intimate relations.
b. High expressed score - Subject can readily become emotionally involved.
c. Low wanted score -Subject is cautious and selective in forming intimate
relationships.
d. High wanted score - Subject wants others to initiate intimate relationships.
Greaterthe discrepancy,greater the need for intervention ScorE: o to 6
* lgnore signs. *
wnt
Table:Individual Table
Control Affection
Inclusion
Score Interpretation Score Interpretation Score |Interpretation

Expressed Medim
Behaviour High
Wanted
Medh Medh
Behaviour

Medim \ow low

Discrepancy 3

Points for discussion

the 3 dimensions of inclusion,
1. Discuss the scores (column totals) on
control and affection for the individual.
Interpret the 'Expressed' and Wanted' scores, on each of these three
2.
dimensions.

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 DISCUSSION

Aie
sijects Sotisl sdaptako
e Fudaetal ater
Peusoal Rlos (F126-8)
lutwl Dis Cussioh

be mat mlhs area Suiet 24

has
Ihat suliet
he enressed
tomfnt able
behaviY
categy
ad ll huove lowand peopk Hhe ted
She has So
selecte aioiei
<gjb sle is Souimes

B- Loutl
AsSesSes
silbly mates decisiont
bel olaseaved at is ua, sbjet
mectu
Sthe
Qvoi ds
de usios Jd coneliey dakes hscensip spibte
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 DISCUSSION

a medun
stjeet soetnes
does ot
Sonele accept otol

dejne te whel peaso beoms

hvswed oten
this Soyjet ZA has
Seel expussel
loel avi our dicates sh becohes
Anoioua\L invswed hes

calegony hic wyts Lat she iutia

hai Suons
med (o-b) shly
Lelair.
wtevtia quiel

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 DISCUSsION

hhelsio,e bjeet has

paessed
tatnol
ad wanteel
categonjes
s) Ju te Afketo
Son oaled ca
catqora
discpay
dca
Pzhacal tveto quind,

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