FIRO (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation) is the name of an interpersonal relations theory introduced in 1958 by William Schutz.  Schutz (1987) says:

• The FIRO-B is one of the most widely used instruments every constructed.

• Was judged "the most generally useful instrument in training" in an authoritative 1983 survey (Pfeiffer, et al. 1976)

• Has been completed by millions of people over the past 20 years.

And it was all a mistake!

• Constructed for one purpose only: to predict the interaction between two people

• CPP published the FIRO

• Schutz disappears for 15 years

• Reappears and is amazed and dismayed:  "I never meant it to be used in all these ways."

• Made substantial differences in the instrument

• Result is Element B "which I regard as a major advance over the FIRO-B"

• "Since I had published no guidelines of my own, I had left interpretation to others by default.

• "I now want to correct that omission"

Affection to Openness.  Openness looks at the desire to share personal thoughts and feelings with others. While some people tend to enjoy talking about their innermost thoughts and feelings, others might prefer to remain more impersonal and businesslike. Each of us wants some open relationships and some that are more private.

Expressed and Wanted.  Previous FIRO-B asks only:

• What do you express (what to you do)

• What do you want (want others to do)

The Element B completes the set by in this way:

• What do you want to do

• What do you actually receive from others

Other Changes

• Response categories

• Item wording

• Simplified scoring

• Dissatisfaction

• Convert FIRO-B and Element B scores back and forth