The Triple Bind of Narration

Fritz Schütze's Biographical Interview in Prison Research and Beyond

Bibliographic Data

ID2322652
AuthorsRenata Szczepanik (0000-0002-7443-0463, University of Lodz), Sabina Siebert (0000-0001-9094-271X, University of Glasgow, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume50
Issue2
Pages285-300
Publication date2016-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0385 • E-ISSN: 1469-8684
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0038038515570145
OpenAlexW2030355530
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited55

In this article we re-evaluate Fritz Schütze's biographical interview method with its orientation towards the analysis of social problems experienced by the individual. We used Schütze's method in a study of repeat offenders in a Polish prison, and on the basis of this experience we believe that we make two contributions - one to social science enquiry in general, and one to prison sociology. We argue that in social science research this method offers unique insights into the process of identity formation. These insights are made possible because of the 'triple bind of narration' inherent in Schütze's method, that is to say the requirement to close, the requirement to condense and the requirement to provide detail. In relation to prison research we argue that Schütze's method has rehabilitation value in making the interviewee/narrator re-evaluate their life through biography work. We also offer practical advice on how to conduct such interviews

Aesthetics · Biography · Criminology · Epistemology · Identity (music) · Interview · Narrative · Political science · Prison · Psychoanalysis · Relation (database) · Sociology · Value (mathematics) · Anthropology · Computer Science · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Data Analysis and Archiving · Law · Philosophy · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics