Definition and Types of Interview

Scientific Nature of the Interview

It is essential to understand that the psychological interview is not a casual conversation between friends or an informal social exchange.

It is defined as a professional technique or instrument, part of the clinical method, which must be conducted with scientific purposes and clear objectives.

It follows specific rules and parameters designed to solve problems or inquire into the situation that generates clinically significant discomfort in the patient.

The professional seeks to understand the current situation in order to offer light and propose interventions to reduce the symptomatology, differing radically from a daily talk due to its structure and evaluative purpose.

Classification by Objectives

Interviews vary according to their purpose. The research interview seeks to investigate data or social problems without necessarily intervening clinically.

The psycho-pedagogical or psycho-educational interview aims to guide or explain diagnoses and processes, clarifying doubts to reduce anxiety generated by uncertainty.

The vocational orientation interview helps students or adults to discover their real vocation in the face of forced or unsatisfactory choices.

The clinical interview focuses on signs, symptoms and mental examination to determine problems and possible interventions.

Finally, the job interview focuses on personnel selection, evaluating profiles and competencies for a position.

Classification by Structure

According to their rigidity, there are three main types. The structured (closed) interview is based on a pre-established script that the evaluator follows faithfully; although it is orderly, its rigidity may prevent the incorporation of valuable emerging information.

The semi-structured interview combines a base script with the flexibility to add questions or go deeper as the session flows; it is most recommended for beginning professionals.

The unstructured (open-ended) interview starts from a "blank sheet of paper" and is constructed on the spot according to the patient; it requires great expertise in order not to lose relevant data.

There is also the panel interview, common in organizational contexts, where several interviewers evaluate simultaneously.

Summary

The psychological interview is defined as a scientific and professional technique, different from a social chat, designed to investigate problems and propose interventions to reduce the patient's discomfort.

Interviews vary according to their purpose, ranging from social research and vocational orientation to clinical diagnostic interviews and job interviews, focused on personnel selection.

According to their structure, they can be closed interviews with a rigid script, open interviews that start from scratch, or semi-structured interviews, the latter being the most recommended because of their flexibility to deepen information.