Group discussion technique captures opinions as they form rather than correcting them afterward

Evidence

The undertaking by the Institute of Social Research described in the following report is an experimental contribution to this effort … It has long since become routine to apply depth psychology in interviews, and to use projective tests, detailed case studies and other techniques to correct and supplement the usual questionnaire methods. The group technique used by our Institute, to be described here, differs from all of these undertakings principally in that it is not satisfied with adding corrections at a later stage, but already begins at an early stage, while opinions are being ascertained in statu nascendi. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 2023

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes the Institute’s group-experiment method from depth interviews and projective tests by its in statu nascendi timing.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 2023
• XREF: connects to: Group interviews can surface opinions suppressed in individual questioning — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 1869; The Institute’s group technique captures opinions in the moment of formation, not after correction.; Public opinion resists change while conversation invites being changed — Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing: Resisting the…, 482 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Public opinion resists change while conversation invites being changed #contradicts (0.85) — Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing, 482
• Public opinion forms only through discussion, not correct representations #expands (0.80) — James W. Carey, Communication as Culture- Essays on…, 372