Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) is a model for social interaction developed by Lorna Smith Benjamin. It classifies interpersonal and intrapsychic interactions into the underlying components of attentional focus (other, self, introjected), love versus hate; and enmeshment (control/submit) versus differentiation (emancipate/separate). 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 context and it directly tracks connections between perceived early relationships and current views of self and relationships with others.

Formal data are generated by two methods: Self ratings by questionnaire and objective observer ratings based on a manualized coding system. Both methods of assessment are processed by software that creates a number of parameters that are useful in research and in clinical practice.

This software is available to qualified professionals only. Qualified clinical users are: 1) A licensed Psychologist; 2) A Psychiatrist; 3) A non-psychiatrist physician with at least one year of training in Psychiatry; 4) Others permitted by law to practice psychotherapy in the provider's state. Examples could include licensed social workers, family practitioners, school counselors, and so on. Qualified research users include any mental health professionals or mental health professionals in training. Research users must be supervised by the User's institution and must be in compliance with the requirements of the appropriate Human Subject's committee or Board of Hospital Directors.

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. Some 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.

Correction to the Predictions Directory on the SASB Intrex CD.
If you want to analyze circumplex order in an 8x8 matrix, please download this corrected filesposted in January 2006. It can be opened with PKUNZIP, available at no charge from the PKZIP web site.