Assignment 3
Assignment 3
3. Explain the purpose of interview method. Discuss the strengths and limitations of
interview method.
The interview method is a qualitative research technique used to gather detailed information
and insights from individuals through direct, face-to-face interaction or virtual
communication. It involves a structured, semi-structured, or unstructured format where the
interviewer asks questions and probes responses to obtain a deep understanding of the
participant's perspectives, experiences, and attitudes. The purpose of the interview method is
multifaceted and varies depending on the research objectives.
Purpose of the Interview Method
1. Data Collection: Interviews are used to collect comprehensive and nuanced data that
cannot be captured through quantitative methods such as surveys or questionnaires.
They allow for exploration of complex behaviors, motivations, and feelings.
2. Understanding Perspectives: They help researchers understand the subjective
experiences and viewpoints of participants. This is particularly important in social
sciences, psychology, and anthropology where individual perspectives can provide
valuable insights.
3. Clarification and Exploration: Interviews enable researchers to clarify ambiguous
responses and explore topics in greater depth. Follow-up questions and probes can
help uncover underlying reasons and emotions.
4. Developing Theories: The detailed qualitative data obtained can be used to develop
new theories or hypotheses. Grounded theory, for instance, relies heavily on interview
data to build theoretical frameworks.
5. Contextual Understanding: They provide context to statistical data, helping
researchers understand the 'why' and 'how' behind certain trends or behaviors.
6. Personal Interaction: The personal interaction involved in interviews can build
rapport and trust, encouraging participants to share more openly and honestly.
Strengths of the Interview Method
1. Depth of Information: Interviews can provide a wealth of detailed information and
insights that are often unattainable through other methods. This depth is particularly
useful for exploring complex issues.
2. Flexibility: Interviews are highly flexible. Interviewers can adjust questions based on
the responses they receive, allowing for a more adaptive and responsive data
collection process.
3. Clarification and Probing: Interviewers can clarify responses and probe deeper into
interesting or unexpected areas, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the
participant's viewpoint.
4. Rich Qualitative Data: The narrative data collected can offer rich, descriptive
accounts that are valuable for understanding context and meaning.
5. Adaptability: Interviews can be tailored to different populations and research needs,
making them versatile tools in both academic and applied research.
6. Building Rapport: The face-to-face nature of interviews can help build rapport and
trust, leading to more honest and open responses from participants.
Limitations of the Interview Method
1. Time-Consuming: Conducting and analyzing interviews can be very time-
consuming. Preparing for interviews, conducting them, transcribing recordings, and
analyzing data requires significant effort and resources.
2. Resource Intensive: Interviews often require more resources than other methods,
including trained interviewers, recording equipment, and transcription services.
3. Subjectivity and Bias: Both interviewers and interviewees can introduce biases. The
way questions are asked and how responses are interpreted can be influenced by
personal biases, potentially affecting the validity of the data.
4. Limited Generalizability: The qualitative nature of interview data means that
findings may not be easily generalizable to larger populations. The insights are often
specific to the individuals or small groups studied.
5. Reliability Issues: The variability in how different interviewers conduct interviews
can affect the consistency and reliability of the data. Differences in interviewing
styles, question phrasing, and interaction can lead to variability in responses.
6. Respondent Fatigue: Long or repetitive interviews can lead to respondent fatigue,
where participants may become tired or lose interest, potentially affecting the quality
of their responses.
7. Social Desirability Bias: Participants may provide answers they believe are socially
acceptable or what the interviewer wants to hear, rather than their true thoughts or
feelings.
Conclusion
The interview method is a powerful tool in qualitative research, offering depth, flexibility,
and rich contextual insights into human behavior and attitudes. However, it also comes with
significant challenges, including time and resource demands, potential biases, and issues of
generalizability and reliability. Researchers must carefully consider these strengths and
limitations when designing studies and interpreting their findings to ensure robust and
meaningful results.
8. In the light of Horney’s theory of personality, explain the concept of basic anxiety and
neurotic needs.
Karen Horney, a prominent psychoanalyst, developed a theory of personality that emphasizes
social and cultural influences over biological factors, diverging from the views of Freud. Two
central concepts in Horney’s theory are basic anxiety and neurotic needs, which she believed
were pivotal in understanding human behavior and personality development.
Basic Anxiety
Definition: Basic anxiety refers to a profound sense of insecurity and apprehension that a
child feels in response to a hostile or indifferent environment. According to Horney, this
anxiety arises from the child’s perception of being isolated and helpless in a world perceived
as potentially threatening.
Origins: Basic anxiety originates in early childhood experiences, particularly in the
relationship between the child and their caregivers. Factors contributing to basic anxiety
include:
Lack of warmth and affection: When parents are indifferent, overly critical, or
hostile, children may feel unloved and unwanted.
Inconsistent behavior of parents: When parents are unpredictable or inconsistent in
their behavior, children may feel confused and anxious.
Overprotection or neglect: Overprotective parenting can limit a child's
independence, while neglect can make a child feel abandoned and insecure.
Family conflicts: Continuous conflicts within the family create a tense environment
that fosters anxiety in children.
Impact on Personality: Basic anxiety becomes a significant motivating force in an
individual's life. To cope with this anxiety, individuals develop certain behavioral strategies,
which Horney termed "neurotic needs." These needs shape the personality and influence the
way individuals interact with others.
Neurotic Needs
Horney identified ten neurotic needs, which are strategies individuals employ to manage their
basic anxiety. These needs are categorized into three broad coping strategies: moving toward
people, moving against people, and moving away from people.
1. Moving Toward People (Compliance)
Need for affection and approval: Seeking constant approval and acceptance from
others to feel valued and loved.
Need for a partner to take over one’s life: Desiring someone to rely on completely,
providing a sense of safety and security.
Need to restrict one’s life within narrow borders: Avoiding risk and responsibility
by adopting a modest, inconspicuous lifestyle.
2. Moving Against People (Aggression)
Need for power: Striving for control and dominance over others to overcome feelings
of helplessness and insecurity.
Need to exploit others: Using others to achieve personal gain, believing that
manipulation is necessary for survival.
Need for social recognition and prestige: Seeking to be admired and respected,
equating self-worth with external success.
Need for personal admiration: Desiring to be seen as unique and superior, often
accompanied by narcissistic tendencies.
Need for ambition and personal achievement: Compulsively pursuing success to
validate self-worth and gain admiration.
3. Moving Away from People (Detachment)
Need for self-sufficiency and independence: Seeking autonomy to avoid being
reliant on others, thereby preventing potential rejection or disappointment.
Need for perfection and unassailability: Striving for flawlessness to avoid criticism
and maintain a sense of control over one’s environment.
Neurotic Needs and Personality Development
Flexibility vs. Rigidity: In healthy individuals, these needs are flexible and adapt to different
situations. However, in neurotic individuals, these needs become rigid, compulsive, and
disproportionate, leading to maladaptive behaviors and relationships.
Conflicts Among Needs: Neurotic needs often conflict with each other. For example, the
need for affection and approval (compliance) may clash with the need for power and
dominance (aggression), creating internal conflicts and further anxiety.
Impact on Relationships: These neurotic needs shape how individuals relate to others.
Those who move toward people may become overly dependent and people-pleasing, while
those who move against people may become aggressive and domineering. Those who move
away from people may become isolated and detached.
Conclusion
Karen Horney’s concepts of basic anxiety and neurotic needs provide a framework for
understanding how early childhood experiences and environmental factors shape personality.
Basic anxiety, rooted in feelings of insecurity and helplessness, drives individuals to develop
neurotic needs as coping mechanisms. These needs influence behavior and interpersonal
relationships, often leading to maladaptive patterns if they become inflexible and dominant.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing psychological issues and fostering
healthier personality development.