Element B: Behavior

Abstract

Element B: Behavior is a sophisticated psychological instrument developed by W. Schutz as a theoretical and psychometrically enhanced revision of the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation–Behavior (FIRO-B) scale. This measure assesses three fundamental dimensions of interpersonal behavior: Inclusion, Control, and Openness. Openness specifically replaces the Affection dimension found in the original FIRO-B model. Element B provides a comprehensive evaluation of both Expressed and Received behaviors, as well as the individual’s Perceived and Wanted levels of these behaviors, allowing for the quantification of interpersonal dissatisfaction.

Keywords

Element B, FIRO-B revision, Interpersonal needs, Inclusion, Control, Openness, Behavioral assessment, Schutz, Psychological Reports.

Authors

W. Schutz

Purpose

The primary purpose of Element B is to provide a robust, theory-derived assessment of an individual’s behavioral patterns within interpersonal contexts. By measuring both what the respondent expresses and receives (behavioral data), and what the respondent perceives and wants (internal state data), the scale facilitates a detailed analysis of interpersonal compatibility and potential areas of conflict or dissatisfaction.

The instrument is designed to evaluate whether individuals are achieving the correct amount of contact, influence, and emotional disclosure in their relationships, offering deeper insight into the dynamics of groups and personal interactions than its predecessor, the FIRO-B.

Construct

Element B measures three core behavioral constructs, which represent fundamental interpersonal needs, based on the theory of fundamental interpersonal relations.

Inclusion: This construct refers to the desired and actual amount of contact and association with others. It measures the need to belong, participate, and share activities, encompassing behaviors like joining social groups and including others in plans.

Control: This construct relates to the extent of power, influence, and responsibility exchanged within relationships. It measures the amount of control an individual seeks to exert over others (taking charge) and the amount of control they are willing to accept from others (being influenced).

Openness: This construct, which replaces the traditional Affection dimension, focuses on the degree of emotional and personal disclosure. It measures the desired and actual amount of honesty, telling true feelings, and sharing private matters with close friends and associates.

Validity

Element B is presented by the author as a theoretically stronger instrument than the FIRO-B, indicating enhanced construct validity derived from its updated theoretical framework. Empirical support for its validity is evidenced by the inclusion of Pearson intercorrelations between the six scales of Element B and the corresponding scales of the FIRO-B, demonstrating the relationship and progression from the original measure.

The scale’s development was rooted in the need for an instrument that more accurately captured the constructs of interpersonal behavior, particularly replacing ‘Affection’ with the more behavioral and measurable construct of ‘Openness’.

Reliability

The reliability of Element B was assessed primarily through internal consistency measures utilizing reproducibility coefficients, demonstrating high stability across the sample populations.

• The mean of the reproducibility coefficients for the six behavioral scales was exceptionally high at 0.92.
• Individual reproducibility coefficients ranged from 0.89 to 0.93.
• To approximate the stability of the Element B scales, the author utilized the test-retest reliability coefficient of the FIRO-B, which had a mean of 0.76 (measured over a three-week interval for six scales). This figure served as a conservative benchmark for the temporal stability of the Element B instrument.

Factor Analysis

While the study primarily reports on reproducibility and intercorrelation statistics, the data analysis provides means for the scales based on age and sex, alongside the crucial Pearson intercorrelations between Element B and FIRO-B scales. These analyses support the factor structure corresponding to the three theory-derived dimensions of Inclusion, Control, and Openness, confirming the clean measurement of these underlying constructs of interpersonal behavior.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Interpersonal Behavior Inventory

Format: 54 items, using a Likert-type scale for scoring agreement and desire.

Language Available: English (As published in US academic literature).

Population Group: Adults and University Students.

Age Group: Adult (18+).

Population Details: The scale was developed and refined using a sample of 200 participants from diverse professional and educational backgrounds to ensure stable reproducibility coefficients. The sample included 50 students from an adult education class, 43 personnel from NASA, 23 individuals from army intelligence, and 84 university students.

Test Methodology: Respondents complete the instrument by describing four aspects for each behavioral dimension (Inclusion, Control, Openness): Expressed behavior, Received behavior, Perceived behavior (What I See), and Wanted behavior (What I Want). Scores range from 0 to 9 per scale. The ‘What I See’ responses range from disagree to agree, while the ‘What I Want’ responses range from want to don’t want. Dissatisfaction is a key metric calculated as the absolute difference between the scores on What I Want and What I See. Conversion data is available to translate FIRO-B scores into Element B scores for comparative analysis.

Keywords

W. Schutz, Interpersonal behavior, FIRO-B successor, Reproducibility, Intercorrelations, Behavioral assessment, Personality scale, Openness, Dissatisfaction index.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source.

Correspondence Address: Will Schutz Associates, Mill Valley, CA (based on 1987 publication).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 1992 (Year of validation publication).

Permissions & Fee: The instrument was published by Will Schutz Associates. Specific licensing and fee structures are not detailed in the academic source entry.

Reference’s

Schutz, W. (1992). Beyond FIRO-B. Three new theory-derived measures. Element B: Behavior, Element F: Feelings, Element S: Self. Psychological Reports 70:915–37.

Schutz, W. (1987). Guide to Element B. Mill Valley, CA: Will Schutz Associates.

Items of the Element B: Behavior

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. I seek out people to be with.
2. People decide what to do when we are together.
3. I am totally honest with my close friends.
4. People invite me to do things.
5. I am the dominant person when I am with people.
6. My close friends tell me their real feelings.
7. I join social groups.
8. People strongly influence my actions.
9. I confide in my close friends.
10. People invite me to join their activities.
11. I get other people to do things I want done.
12. My close friends tell me about private matters.
13. I join social organizations.
14. People control my actions.
15. I am more comfortable when people do not get too close.
16. People include me in their activities.
17. I strongly influence other people’s actions.
18. My close friends do not tell me all about themselves.
19. I am included in informal social activities.
20. I am easily led by people.
21. People should keep their private feelings to themselves.
22. People invite me to participate in their activities.
23. I take charge when I am with people socially.
24. My close friends let me know their real feelings.
25. I include people in my plans.
26. People decide things for me.
27. There are some things I do not tell anyone.
28. People include me in their social affairs.
29. I get people to do things the way I want them done.
30. My closest friends keep secrets from me.
31. I have people around me.
32. People strongly influence my ideas.
33. There are some things I would not tell anyone.
34. People ask me to participate in their discussions.
35. I take charge when I am with people.
36. My friends confide in me.
37. When people are doing things together I join them.
38. I am strongly influenced by what people say.
39. I have at least one friend to whom I can tell anything.
40. People invite me to parties.
41. I strongly influence other people’s ideas.
42. My close friends keep their feelings a secret from me.
43. I look for people to be with.
44. Other people take charge when we work together.
45. There is a part of myself I keep private.
46. People invite me to join them when we have free time.
47. I take charge when I work with people.
48. At least two of my friends tell me their true feelings.
49. I participate in group activities.
50. People often cause me to change my mind.
51. I have close relationships with few people.
52. People invite me to do things with them.
53. I see to it that people do things the way I want them to.
54. My friends tell me about their private lives.