Fundamental intepersonal relations orientations in dyads: An empirical analysis of Schutz's FIRO‐B as an index of compatibility

Abstract

This series of studies investigates the potential usefulness of William Schutz's theory of interpersonal relations orientations for the study of communication. Based on their analysis of the descriptive and explanatory power of scores produced by responses to Schutz's instrument, FIRO‐B, the authors challenge the three‐dimensional classification of interpersonal needs as well as the argument concerning three distinct forms of interpersonal compatibility. The results indicate that FIRO‐B may be structurally biased against the interpersonal need to control or be controlled and that the compatibility measures derived from the test, although useful for examining certain broadgauge predictions, do not permit intensive analysis of the functional relationship between interpersonal orientations and communicative processes in dyads.