Assignment: Life Span Interview
Ray’s case has provided you with direct observation of a client’s history and life experiences. In the absence of this direct observation, social workers turn to assessment and interview techniques to gather essential facts about a client’s life span. Interviewing is an important social work skill—and one that requires more than simply reading a set of prescribed questions. A social worker must also demonstrate professional communication, both verbally and nonverbally, ask appropriate follow-up questions, and take notes at the same time.
For this Assignment, you practice interviewing an older adult about life events, experiences, and feelings that have shaped them. You then transform your interview notes into a narrative—that is, a life story—of the individual you interviewed. You interweave within this narrative an analysis of the life story by integrating person and the environment concepts and theories drawn from HBSE I and II.
To Prepare:
If you have not already done so, interview an older adult (age 65 or older) about their life story, using the Life Span Interview document in the Learning Resources. Take notes as you conduct the interview.
Review your notes and begin to interpret the older adult’s life story through the lens of human behavior and the social environment.
By 02/04/2022
Submit a 4 to 5-page paper in which you provide a narrative analysis of the Life Span Interview you completed. The paper should:
Provide a chronological history of the individual’s major life experiences.
Identify specific biological, psychological, and sociological influences that shaped the individual’s experience.
Analyze the individual’s experiences by applying theory and concepts learned throughout both HBSE courses.
Be sure to include the ways in which power, privilege, and oppression shaped their experience (e.g., race and ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
Provide your reflection of the experience, both in interviewing the individual and analyzing their narrative.
Explain what you learned and how you will apply this learning to future social work practice.
Required Readings
Hutchison, E. D. (2019). An update on the relevance of the life course perspective for social work. Families in Society, 100(4), 351–366. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389419873240
Smith-Osborne, A. (2007). Life span and resiliency theory: A critical review. Advances in Social Work, 8(1), 152–168. https://doi.org/10.18060/138
Zacher, H., & Froidevaux, A. (2021). Life stage, lifespan, and life course perspectives on vocational behavior and development: A theoretical framework, review, and research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103476
Document: Life Span Interview (PDF)
Required Media
Meet Ray: Age 69 to 87
Time Estimate: 2 minutes
Transcript – Meet Ray: Age 69 to 87 [PDF]
Walden University, LLC. (2021). Theories of human development [Interactive media]. https://class.waldenu.edu
Follow Rubric
Submit a 3- to 5-page paper in which you provide a narrative analysis of the Life Span Interview you completed. The paper should: Provide a chronological history of the individual’s major life experiences. • Identify specific biological, psychological, and sociological influences that shaped the individual’s experience.
27 (22.5%) – 30 (25%)
Response meets expectations and deepens the explanation of influences by illustrating how the biological, psychological, and sociological domains overlay and impact one another across the life span.
Analyze the individual’s experiences by applying theory and concepts learned throughout both HBSE courses.
27 (22.5%) – 30 (25%)
Response meets expectations and exceeds by synthesizing multiple theories and concepts with specific life stages and events to illuminate the individual’s experience. Four or more scholarly resources are used to support the response.
Competency 2 • Be sure to include the ways in which power, privilege, and oppression shaped their experience (e.g., race and ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
5.4 (4.5%) – 6 (5%)
Response addresses three or more specific ways in which power, privilege, and oppression shaped their experience.
Provide your reflection of the experience, both in interviewing the individual and analyzing their narrative.
16.2 (13.5%) – 18 (15%)
Response meets expectations and deepens reflection through insightful connection to the Learning Resources and application to practice.
Explain what you learned and how you will apply this learning to future social work practice.
16.2 (13.5%) – 18 (15%)
Response meets expectations and exceeds by expanding upon the explanation through details and examples from the Learning Resources, peer-reviewed research, or other relevant sources. Two or more scholarly resources are used to support the response.
Writing
16.2 (13.5%) – 18 (15%)
Paper meets length requirements, meets expectations, is generally error free (two or fewer), and further exceeds by showcasing an exemplary scholarly voice to develop its message or communicate ideas.
Paper appropriately paraphrases sources, using one or less quotes. Presents polished APA Style. Citations, reference list, and paper formatting are generally error free (two or fewer).
Tone and presentation of ideas are free from bias and objective, unless otherwise directed in the prompt.
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Life Span Interview is an assignment.
Ray’s case has allowed you to gain firsthand knowledge of a client’s background and life experiences. In the absence of direct observation, social workers rely on assessment and interview techniques to elicit vital information about a client’s life span. Interviewing is a vital social work skill that needs more than just reading a set of questions. A social worker must also display professional communication skills, both vocally and nonverbally, as well as ask appropriate follow-up questions and take notes.
You will practice interviewing an older adult on life events, experiences, and feelings that have shaped them for this Assignment. You then turn your interview notes into a narrative, or life story, of the person you interviewed. Within this, you intertwine.
