Chapter 8: Interviewing Techniques

Question 1

34. What does a good interviewer know how to do?

Answer 1

• Facilitate
• Listening effectively
• Withholding bias
• Remain in control
• Create a safe environment

Question 2

35. How are interviews similar to tests?

Answer 2

• Gather data on subject
• Tested for reliability and validity

Question 3

36. Define interpersonal influence and interpersonal attraction. How are they interrelated?

Answer 3

Interpersonal influence: the degree to which one person can influence another

Interpersonal attraction: the degree to which people share a feeling or understanding mutual respect or similarity

Interpersonal influence can lead to interpersonal attraction which in turn reinforces the phenomenon of interpersonal influence

Question 4

37. Define and note what types of statements should be avoided to elicit as much information as possible?

Answer 4

• Avoid judgmental statements (Evaluate thoughts feelings or actions)
• Evaluating statements (Good, bad, excellent, stupid)
• Probing statements (Demanding more info than the subject wishes to give, why?)
• Hostile responses (Directs anger at the interviewee)
• False reassurance (Does nothing to help, shows interviewee examiner will not help them)

Question 5

38. What is the main goal in interviewing?

Answer 5

Keep the interaction flowing so that you can gather data/information.

Both interviewer and interviewee influence each other. It is reciprocal and interactions matter.

Question 6

39. Define transitional phrase. If it fails, what responses should be used to continue the theme? Define.

Answer 6

Words or even noises that are meant to get the patient to continue speaking.

If they do not work, define back to them what they said.

Question 7

40. When should direct questions be used in an interview?

Answer 7

When you need specific info or time is running out

Question 8

41. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using structured clinical interviews?

Answer 8

You can’t deviate from the script but much more standardized

Question 9

42. What is the purpose of a mental status examination? What areas are typically covered?

Answer 9

Used to diagnose brain damage and/or psychosis by evaluating appearance, attitudes, general behaviors, and emotions

Question 10

43. Define general standoutishness. How does appearance play a role?

Answer 10

When we judge someone based on one specific trait that stands out. If someone is beautiful, we may think they are also smart (even though these things are unrelated)

Question 11

44. How much higher is interview reliability for structured interviews?

Answer 11

Twice as much

Question 12

45. What is a major criticism of structured interviews?

Answer 12

Not flexible. Too rigid to obtain some information. Cannot deviate from the script.

BUT they are much more reliable than unstructured interviews. Reliability is twice as high.

Question 13

46. What is social facilitation? Be prepared for examples.

Answer 13

Acting in such a way as to encourage dialogue

ex: open body language, eye contact, responds to statements being made

Question 14

47. What is the largest source of error in interviews?

Answer 14

Judgment