The Psychological interview Is the evaluation technique most used in psychology, specifically in the clinical setting. Its use is justified by its effectiveness both To investigate unobservable contents as a guide and guidance on what contents should be evaluated with other procedures.
Through The psychological evaluation explores and analyzes the behavior of an adult or child based on different objectives:
If we want to make a description of the subject in relation to their behavior.
If we want to make a diagnosis of the person.
If we want To choose a person For a particular job, selection and prediction.
If we want to give some explanation to some behavior or way of being of a person.
If we need to see if there have been changes in a person and if, therefore, the treatment has been effective...
All these aspects are covered by the psychological clinical interview, an instrument that can be classified within the general category of self-reports, and through the Which, we obtain information, previous to the diagnosis and even to any modality of intervention.
The interview is usually given at the beginning of the evaluation and when communicating the results, what is known as a return interview.
Functions of interviews
The interview is a conversation and / or interpersonal relationship between two or more people, with specific goals, that is, for one purpose, in lav Somebody asks for help and someone else offers it.
This assumes that there is a difference of roles in the participants. In addition, a relationship is seen Asymmetric, since one is the expert, the professional, and the other who needs help.
Its main functions are:
- Motivational role : Since the interview stimulates a relationship that stimulates change.
- Clarifying function : The patient's exposure of problems and ordering them, helps the subject to clarify them.
- Therapeutic function : It is given when verbalizing, because the psychologist gives alternatives.
Objectives of the interview
Among the objectives that are intended to be achieved when deciding to use an interview to clarify the demand of the person, we find the Following:
Establish a good climate of trust appropriate to encourage patient communication.
Perceiving the patient's total behavior, both verbal and non verbal .
Keep an active listening with the patient and observe.
Stimulate verbal expression.
Define the problem in an operative way, taking into account the observable and definable characteristics.
Identify antecedents and consequents that may be influencing the demand that the subject poses.
Know the solution attempts put into practice by the subject and develop hypotheses.
Plan the process of psychological evaluation, and develop an integrative conceptual map.
Characteristics of interviews
I will then cite the main characteristics of this means of evaluation:
- It is an evaluation that is done through a conversation with a purpose. It is intended to collect data through the self-report of the Subject, and to collect information from a third party.
- It collects the respondent's demand, that is, all information of a broad, general, specific and concrete nature. The psychologist must identify And clarify the demand.
- The interview takes place in a space and time prefixed previously. Usually in the psychologist's office.
- There is a reciprocal influence among the individuals involved, this influence is bidirectional.
- The relationship between interviewer and interviewee starts from mutual ignorance, however, the task of the interviewer will be to collect Information to achieve a good knowledge of the patient and his environment in a short period of time (around 40-50 minutes).
- The relationship that occurs in an interview functions as a Gestalt, as a whole.
Despite all the advantageous characteristics of the interview, there are two sources of problems: the information obtained is based on the report Of the subject and there is a high difficulty in separating the execution of the technique from the usual modes with which people behave in a Interactive situation.
That is, it is difficult to discern between what the respondent responds is how the subject behaves normally, or if, by the Contrary, it is responding differently to being evaluated.
Stages of interviews
During the development of the psychological interviews we can refer to three basic sections present, on the one hand, the pre-interview, on the other The interview, and finally the post-interview. At each stage different tasks and house one characteristics are performed.
Pre-interview
Professionals usually do not receive a patient directly, but there is another who receives the request for patient consultation. In This step the caretaker should collect information about the patient (who calls, how old and contact data); On the reason for consultation, Which will be collected briefly so as not to interfere with the work of the clinician and record what he says and how he says it. And, finally, it will be noted The referent (if it is derived or on its own initiative).
Interview
At this stage we can distinguish different sub-stages:
- Basic Knowledge Phase: In this one has to have three aspects in account; The physical contact, the social greetings and the attempts of mutual knowledge. There is no stipulated way to receive the patient, it is advised to take care of the empathetic and warm attitude with care, as well as the non-verbal communication. The interview is opened clarifying the objectives that are pursued with the evaluation, the time of intervention and the knowledge That we have of its demand.
- Phase of exploration and identification of the problem : Is the body of the interview and lasts about 40 minutes. An analysis of the Demands, complaints and goals of the patient. The psychologist should make clear what his / her role is, guide the interviewee and use their knowledge and experiences to Understand the problem, develop hypotheses, analyze the antecedents and consequents, and explore the previous solutions. Before moving on to the next phase The psychologist should summarize the problems raised and formulate a summary to the patient of what we obtained with the interview, in order from Get feedback Of their return.
- Farewell Phase : In this phase the patient is dismissed. The method of work to be followed in the coming sessions will be clarified and A new appointment. There are patients that when they reach this stage they resist going, crying or feeling bad because they have just remembered something important that They had to communicate... In these cases the patient will be told that they can discuss it at the next session, which do not worry.
Post interview
At this stage the psychologist will complete notes you have taken during the interview, write down your impressions, and make a map of the problems you are having. Have consulted.
Types of interviews
There are many different interviews. Different classifications will be presented according to the structure, purpose, temporality and age.
According to the structure
- Structured : Has an established and generally standardized script. Two modalities: mechanization, in which the patient is placed in front of a Computer to answer questions from the questionnaire guided by the examiner, where the patient responds to the examination of the examiner, or Responds by itself.
- Semistructured : Previous script that can be altered during the interview (altering the order, the formulation...).
- Free : It allows the interviewee to speak according to their needs, through multiple open-ended, wide-ranging questions.
According to the purpose
- Diagnostic : It is usually accompanied by other instruments that allow to contrast what was collected in the interview.
- Advisory : Tries to give answer to a specific subject, the final objective is not destined to continue with a later clinical work.
- From vocational orientation : Its objective is to guide people in relation to which studies to choose or which is the ideal professional field.
- Therapeutics and advice : They aim at an agreed change for both parties.
- Research : Determine according to predefined criteria the ascription or not of a subject to the research itself.
According to temporality
- Initial : Opens the relational process and identifies the object and objectives.
- Complementary information interview : Useful to know more data (relatives, external professionals...).
- Interviews biographical or anamnesis : Used in child psychology and is essential for diagnosis. The milestones Early development, autonomy, acquisition of basic functions (questions are asked about pregnancy, childbirth, if To eat, when he began to speak...).
- Return Interview : The psychologist offers information on diagnosis, prognosis and silver therapeutic strategies. It puts into play the Understanding of the problem, motivation for change and adaptation of proposed strategies. This interview is also known as a verbal report.
- High clinic interview, physical and administrative farewell : Useful to physically and administratively dismiss the patient and close the case, ends Because the objective has been fulfilled, or because there has been an existent answer to the problem.
According to age
- Interview with children and adolescents : Generally they do not ask for help on their own (only 5% do), but the demand comes from adults, and these Are often involved in the problem and resolution. It must make a very personalized adaptation and knowledge of the characteristics Evolutionary is imperative.
In children between 0 and 5 years old, play and graphic and plastic expressions are often used (it should be taken into account that 0 to 3 years is important The presence of mothers).
In children between 6 and 11 years, between six and eight drawings and games are used. And then the use of language is evaluated.
- Interview with adults : Interviews with the elderly and people with impairment require special training for the type of relationship, language, Way of asking, goals of change, economic, social and emotional supports.
Fundamental aspects of being a good interviewer
When conducting a psychological interview with a patient, it is necessary to take into account a series of aspects that will facilitate the obtaining of information Congruent and valuable. These refer to attitudes, listening skills and communication skills.
Attitudinal characteristics
Empathy
The empathy Is the ability to understand the patient at a cognitive and emotional level, and transmit that understanding. Bleguer called it"Instrumental Dissociation", That is to say, dissociation that the professional experiences, that on the one hand must show an attitude of emotional closeness, and on the other, it remains distant. Three basic conditions must be given: congruence with oneself, unconditional acceptance of the other and putting oneself in the place of the other without ceasing to be one same.
Being empathic means understanding the other's problems, grasping their feelings, putting themselves in their place, relying on their ability to succeed, respecting His freedom and intimacy, not to judge him, to accept him as he is and how he wants to become, and to see the other from himself.
Warmth
The warmth refers to the patient's positive acceptance, manifested through physical closeness, gestures, verbal reinforcement...
Competition
The therapist must demonstrate his experience and ability to propose solutions to the patient. It is very useful to anticipate what the Patient will say, if you know him well, because it makes him see that the therapist is competent and knows what he is talking about. In case the psychologist considers that The case exceeds its own limitations, it must refer to another professional.
Flexibility and tolerance
It implies for the psychologist to know how to respond to unforeseen situations, without losing the objective that is pursued. The professional You have to be flexible to adapt to the diversity of people you work with.
Honesty and professional ethics
The psychologist will work consistently with his principles, values, his theoretical model, this translates into acting with Sincerity, honesty and open attitude, respecting the patient's informed consent, confidentiality and the protection of information.
Listening Skills
Within this category we find aspects such as maintaining eye contact, physical proximity, gestures...
The attitude of the psychologist must be receptive and must let talk. This can be achieved through the following actions:
- Demonstrate to Patient the interest of listening.
- Avoid distractions.
- Give the patient time to express himself and not overtake.
- Control the impulses.
- Not to do Evaluations of what the patient says.
- Offer a stimulating presence.
- Keep the silences (they favor listening and incite to speak).
- Do not interrupt.
- It takes time to respond (it has been seen that if you wait for about 6 seconds, the interviewee is encouraged to keep talking).
- To give help.
- Rectify Cognitive errors such as distortions or generalizations.
- Clarify the emotions expressed.
- Guide the patient to understand their discomfort and propose Changes.
Communication skills
A) Strategies to elicit or maintain communication
Within these strategies we find the specular technique, consisting of repeating the last thing the patient has said or making the gesture; Give the word; Make confirmatory comments or express approval.
You can also use the communicational feedback of the facts, for example, make sure that you have not misunderstood by expressing to the subject"if I have not Misunderstood..."and / or behavior, for example, we say to a teenager"when you look away, teachers feel that they are not Attending".
It is also used the signaling or underline when we want to show a problem. Or interpretation, when we want to establish causes and Effects. Finally, psychologists when they observe that a patient is trying to evade an issue uses the parachute landing to approach it, Surprising and direct way.
B) Strategies for asking questions
Psychologists use a multitude of types of questions. These include open, closed questions, facilitating questions (not Ambiguous), p. Clarifying (to clarify an ambiguous aspect), p. With heading, p. Guided (or with induced response, the question Implicit a monosyllabic response) and p. Of confrontation (being cautious, usually stated to answer yes or no). Return is also used Of questions, with the aim of the patient looking for the answers themselves.
On the other hand, they use pressure techniques, direct confrontation techniques (so that they are aware of their contradictions and Limits as time pressure, focus the problem and review symptoms.
conclusion
The interview is one of the most widely used evaluation techniques today, since it allows to collect a wide variety of fundamental aspects to the Time to evaluate a person, in a short period of time and greatly facilitating subsequent evaluation and therapeutic planning.
Bibliography
- Moreno, C. (2005). Psychological evaluation. Madrid: Sanz and Torres.
- Fernández-Ballesteros, R (2011). Psychological evaluation. Concepts, methods and case studies. Madrid: Pyramid.
- Del Barrio, V. (2003). Psychological evaluation applied to different contexts . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Del Barrio, V. (2002). Psychological evaluation in childhood and adolescence . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.