Abstract
Recent structural analyses of the widely used FIRO-B interpersonal personality measure identify a two dimensional model (Control and Social-Affect) rather than Schutz’s three dimensions of Control, Openness and Inclusion. The present study re-examined the FIRO model across the 54 individual items as reported by 89 adults. The results support a modified FIRO model of interpersonal personality in which Inclusion and Openness are part of the same substantive domain (Social Engagement), distinct from Control, but reflect different Generative and Accepted Modes of interaction. Importantly, however the analysis (SSA-I) reveals a subset of Schutz’s original Openness items that capture a third substantive component of the interpersonal domain, Social Withdrawal. This negative interpersonal tendency has not been identified previously within the FIRO or other interpersonal personality models.
Highlights
The FIRO-B (Schutz, 1958) is a widely adopted assessment tool for interpersonal personality in clinical contexts yielding scores on three dimensions of Control, Openness (Affection) and Inclusion
A Modified Model of Interpersonal Style Schutz’s model would be revealed by six distinct regions of Expressed Control, Received Control, Expressed Inclusion, Received Inclusion, Expressed Openness and Received Openness produced by the joint action of the Mode and Content facets. Rather than this FIRO model, the Smallest Space Analysis (SSA-I) suggests a model of interpersonal personality that is a modified version of Schutz’s original structure
The present study considered the structure of interrelationships among the 54 individual FIRO items. This did support, within the current small sample the basic distinction indicated in the recent construct validity studies between a socially affective and a social control component rather than Schutz’s model
Summary
The FIRO-B (Schutz, 1958) is a widely adopted assessment tool for interpersonal personality in clinical contexts yielding scores on three dimensions of Control, Openness (Affection) and Inclusion. Profiles across these dimensions are used to identify 27 clinical types in terms of a client’s interpersonal style in close personal and/or small (work) group relationships (Ryan, 1977). A number of recent studies have questioned the construct validity of the FIRO, especially with regard to the distinctness of Schutz’s Affection (Openness) and Inclusion components (Dancer & Woods, 2006; Furnham, 2008; Hurley, 1992; Macrosson, 2000; Mahoney & Stasson, 2005). Furnham (2008) reports a two rather than three factor solution; a structure supported by the pattern of correlations he reports with The Big Five intrapersonal personality measure (Costa & McCrae, 1992)
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