While both of Schutz’ sets of instruments are carefully designed and have built a strong record of validation, they are not highly reliable, with regard to consistency in test-retest scores. This is not necessarily a negative feature, for the Schutz’ instruments are excellent measures of shifting interpersonal needs. Results from these instruments suggest that the context within which an interpersonal relationship is established and takes place, and the nature of the relationship itself, has a great influence over the presence and magnitude of specific needs.
There is another important way in which interpersonal need instruments can be used. While the primarily Schutz instruments are geared toward self-assessment, rich information can be gained by offering comparable instruments to colleagues of the respondent, who are asked to provide feedback regarding what they see as the interpersonal needs being manifest by the respondent. Will Schutz offers a “Feedback” Edition of Element B which provides this type of information, as does a second instrument, the Interpersonal Need Inventory (INI) which is available from the Center for Personal and Organizational Assessment (CPOA) (reference). CPOA offers both a self-assessment and other-assessment/feedback version of the INI. In addition, it provides a third inventory, which assesses the organizational culture in which the interpersonal need is being engaged, displayed and interpreted. The same three Schutz’ needs are assessed with the three CPOA instruments.
Several obvious advantages are inherent in the use of questionnaire and survey results. The questionnaire results can be shared and discussed with other people in a relationship, thereby allowing for greater disclosure and feedback regarding the often sensitive issues associated with the expression and fulfillment of interpersonal needs. The questionnaire results also provide a “neutral” set of categories for the discussion of interpersonal needs. Schutz provides a vocabulary (“inclusion,” “control,” “openness”) for people to talk about their relationships.
