The SASB technology is distributed in two separate groups: (1) the SASB questionnaires, software and manual for questionnaires; (2) the SASB coding manual and software for objective observer coding of videotaped interactions among two or more individuals. These methods use the same metric to assess the perspective of the individual (self rating on the questionnaires) and/ or the observer (by having an observer use the questionnaires or make objective ratings of videotaped interactions).

Both systems are based on the SASB model, which dissects interpersonal and intrapsychic interactions into the underlying components of attentional focus, love versus hate; and enmeshment versus differentiation. SASB provides direct measures of what people usually discuss in therapy: their relationships with others and their own intrapsychic process. The system permits assessment of interpersonal patterns in any specific context and it directly tracks connections between perceived early relationships and current views of self and relationships with others. SASB measures object relations.

A good way to become acquainted with the SASB model and some clinical uses is to read: Benjamin, L.S. (1996), Interpersonal diagnosis and treatment of personality disorder. New York: the Guilford Press. Applications of the SASB software are illustrated in: Benjamin, L.S. (1996). "An interpersonal theory of personality disorders." In J.F. Clarkin (Ed.) Major theories of personality disorder. N.Y.: The Guilford Press,141-220. The Shortform questionnaire items appear in Benjamin, 1996 and the Longform questionnaire items appear in Benjamin, L.S. (1984). Principles of prediction using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB). In R.A. Zucker, J. Aronoff and A.J. Rabin (Eds), Personality and the Prediction of Behavior. New York: Academic Press, 121-173. Copyrights on all SASB questionnaire items are held by the University of Utah.

The software for both systems (questionnaires; observer coding) yields the same parameters. These are: (1) cluster scores for each domain surveyed; (2) pattern coefficients; (3) weighted affiliation and weighted autonomy scores. Output is in two file types (1) all parameters for each case in a single line, suitable for direct import into standard data managers such as SPSS; (2) output adapted to print hardcopy to show to patients or to research participants being given feedback.

The SASB programs themselves are stand alone PC programs suitable for use in DOS or in Windows 95/98/2000. They are much easier to use if you have Microsoft Office97/2000. (Word, Excel and, for the coding software, Access). With these 3 components, much of the process is automated and so data processing is vastly improved over prior versions.

The SASB Intrex materials are offered under separate contracts for research & educational or clinical use: Research and educational use means the SASB technology is used either in a formal research study conducted by qualified professional users or for education of professionals in the area of mental health. There is a modest royalty fee for research and educational use (20 cents per subject). If the research study provides that output is to be shown to raters, the feedback procedure must be approved by an appropriate Institutional Review Board. Clinical use means the technology is used by a qualified professional for clinical service and the rater (patient, client) is charged a fee for that service. Only qualified professionals who satisfactorily complete the Qualified clinical user's form may order the technology for clinical use. Royalties for clinical use are modest, but greater than for research use ($2.00 per subject).

SASB software has just been updated. It is accompanied by managers on the CD Rom disks that explain and help you use and interpret the software. Much of the work is now automated. With the managers, you can quickly generate graphical output that maps a patient's interpersonal history. Most patients (or raters) understand these pictures with only brief explanation from you. This can facilitate case formulation and therapy process. The SASB programs also yield research data files that are easy to import into data bases for research uses. In addition to files that provide the basic parameters (clusters, weighted affiliation and autonomy scores, pattern coefficients), there are files that provide finer levels of resolution (e.g., correlations among within subject profiles; every possible pattern coefficient). The labeling of variables in many of the data bases is assisted by the new managers. Reference manuals, which provide norms, descriptions of rationale for and methods of computing the parameters are included.