Did We Fail? (Counter-)Transference in a Qualitative Media Research Interview

Johanssen, J. 2016. Did We Fail? (Counter-)Transference in a Qualitative Media Research Interview . Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture. 7 (1), pp. 99-111. https://doi.org/10.1386/iscc.7.1.99_1

TitleDid We Fail? (Counter-)Transference in a Qualitative Media Research Interview
AuthorsJohanssen, J.
Abstract

Drawing on Joke Hermes’ (2006) account of a troubling interview, this article reproduces and reflects on passages from a qualitative interview with a user of a social networking site that was experienced as uncomfortable by both interviewee and interviewer (myself). The psychoanalytic concept of (counter-)transference is used to analyse the possible processes that led to the emergence of two narratives by the interviewee and interviewer and resulted in an unsuccessful research encounter. It is suggested that the analysis of the interview narratives may contribute to Wanda S. Pillow’s (2003) notion of an ‘uncomfortable reflexivity’. It may further add to methodological discussions of the interview in media research by placing an emphasis on a complex theory of the subject and intersubjective dynamics.

Keywords (counter-)transference, qualitative interview, reflexivity, discomfort, psychoanalysis.
JournalInteractions: Studies in Communication & Culture
Journal citation7 (1), pp. 99-111
ISSN1757-2681
Year2016
PublisherIntellect
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1386/iscc.7.1.99_1
Publication dates
Published01 Apr 2016

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