FIRO theory of Needs William Schutz

William Schutz was a psychologist at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, and a pioneer of the 1960s encounter group movement. In 1958, Schutz developed a theory on interpersonal relations that he named Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation. Schutz gained respect from his more traditional colleagues when he developed the fundamental interpersonal relation orientation (FIRO). FIRO is a theory of interpersonal needs that claims to explain the what and why of an individual’s actions toward others. According to this theory, three dimensions of interpersonal relations were considered necessary and sufficient for explaining most human interactions. These dimensions were Inclusion, Affection, and Control. Schutz created FIRO-B, a measuring instrument that measures the behavioral aspects in the three dimensions. It’s about being in or not. Schutz believes that the desire of humans to understand and give attention to others is conceptually distinct from their need for recognition.

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The interpersonal need for power and control is defined by Schutz as the “need to establish and maintain an acceptable relationship with people in terms of control and power.” It’s about being at the top or bottom. The need for control is not only a matter of wanting to be included but also expressing that desire. The FIRO theory of Schutz acknowledges that some people want to be dependent and submissive, for others to set their path. They are loyal, trustworthy, obedient, and willing to serve. The same person cannot have a high need to receive and give.

The third interpersonal need of the FIR0 triad is “the desire to maintain and establish a satisfying relationship with others in terms of love and affection.” The need for inclusion was about being included or excluded, but the need to be loved is about being near or far. Al, a third member of your group who is named Al, may want to form a positive bond with another person. Al’s desire for friendship would be viewed by Schutz as “a natural result of his desire to feel loved”. He will measure success by his positive feelings, not by the task he has accomplished.

A balanced individual has six inner needs.

• Included
• Control
• Affection
• Wants of others
• Acceptance
• Guideline
• Closeness
• “Expresses”
• You can also find out more about the Interest Rates
• Leading
• Liking

The grid that forms the Schutz is more than just a way to label interpersonal tendencies. He is trying to explain the origins of these motives.

Schutz says that if we have seen someone in action we can predict their behavior with reasonable accuracy. You can predict how Irv will behave in a group if you know their past behavior. Schutz does not shy away from the determinism implied in this statement. He believes that our individual needs are shaped by the way we were treated as toddlers and that these needs will remain constant. In his analysis, he traces the principle of relational continuity back to the early years of childhood.

The fear of inclusion that grips shy introverts is a result of being neglected or abandoned as children. A child who is overly friendly and socialized will also experience anxiety due to too much attention. Socially normal children grew up with parents who paid moderate attention. Schutz points out that many people who are convicted of abuse against children were themselves abused as children.

Schutz developed the FIRO–B questionnaire to assess an individual’s attitude toward the six interpersonal requirements. The B at the end of the acronym means that needs are used to analyze behavior. The theory can be better understood by responding to the six sample items. The items are inclusion desired, inclusion expressed; control desired, control expressed; affection wanted, and affection expressed.

Schutz describes three techniques for a rapid diagnosis of FIRO requirements. In blind milling, he puts members in a dark room and encourages wandering. Discussions about barriers, touch, belongings, and invasion of space reveal a desire for inclusion. To bring the need for control to the forefront, Schutz instructs participants to form a line in which the dominant is at the front of the group and the submissive ones at the rear. This second technique is called a “dominance line” and it reminds of the blustery swagger in the song “Step to the Rear,” which Chevrolet adopted ten years ago for an advertising campaign: “Will all here please step to the back and let a leader lead the way?” Schutz’s third technique, the “high school dance” exercise, aims to evoke the deep-seated anxieties that the ritual invokes in most teens. He instructs the participants to pair up with the person that they find attractive. The procedure seems to be a success when it evokes feelings of sexuality, intimacy, jealousy, and rejection. This method for tapping into the desire for affection is similar to gently tapping a sledgehammer on chicks’ shells.

The cycle of inclusion, control, and affection in groups

The FIRO theory is based on motivation. However, Schutz included the principle of group interaction.

During the period from the beginning of the group until three intervals prior to the group’s end, the dominant area of interaction is inclusion. This is followed by controlling, and then affection. This cycle can recur.

Inclusion -> Control -> Affection is the typical sequence. During the first meeting, members determine their place in the group and how much time they are willing to commit. Inclusion is the next phase. Once these identity questions are resolved, we will then focus on the question of control. What are the rules of engagement? Who will be in charge? What will the responsibility be? After the struggle, the group moves into the phase of affection, which focuses on positive attraction and pairings, jealousy and hostility.

The FIRO B questionnaire by Schutz is a better technique to assess social needs. It is possible that the lack of development afterward was due to Schutz’s deterministic need assessment. The tools that Schutz provides are not designed to help someone reduce their affectionate behavior. The original FIR0 by Schutz is a provocative look at why people behave in certain situations, both interpersonally and within groups. It does not offer any practical advice about how to communicate more effectively or alter their patterns of interactions.