An Examination of the Construct Validity of the FIRO-B

Abstract

Summary The purpose of the present study was to examine the construct validity of FIRO-B, the principal measuring instrument in Schutz's (1966) theory of interpersonal behavior. Three separate components of construct validity (substantive, structural and external) as outlined by Loevinger (1957) were examined and evaluated. A total of 144 non-college adults represented three criterion groups (salesmen, policemen and service volunteers) for the three interpersonal need areas (inclusion, control and affection) measured by the FIRO-B. None of the expectations regarding the three components of validity were supported. The data suggest that FIRO-B is not a valid measure of the interpersonal needs as outlined in Schutz's (1966) theory of interpersonal behavior.