Purpose-Finding Interview

The following interview protocol, used by Dr. William Damon and adapted by Dr. Kendall Cotton Bronk, was both used to identify purpose research as well as foster it. These questions, broken down into class activities, reflections, and prompts could be instituted into any classroom.

‍

Introduction

1. Tell me a little about yourself. What kind of person are you?
2. What kinds of things do you really care about? Why do you care about these things?
3. What’s most important to you in your life? Why is that important to you?
4. Do you have any long-term goals? What are a few of the more important ones? Why are these goals important to you?

• If no, That’s interesting, why do you prefer not to have goals? What does it mean to you not to have goals?
• If yes, Are you doing anything now to achieve these goals or objectives? If yes, What are you doing? If no, What has kept you back from doing something to meet these goals?

5. What does it mean to have a good life?
6. What does it mean to be a good person?
7. What would you say you spend most of your energy on these days?
8. If you were looking back on your life, how would you want to be remembered? What would you want to be remembered for? Why?

Building Connections

9. Earlier you talked about [x] being important to you. Can you tell me how and why this became important? When did it become important to you?
10. Why did you get involved with this particular objective or cause rather than with a different one?
11. Is there someone who helped you act on your goal(s) initially?
12. Would you say your friends and family are concerned with the same things? Have your friends, family and other people in your life generally supported or opposed your efforts?
13. Have you gotten others involved in your efforts? If yes, how did you do this?
14. Apart from particular people, were there other things that influenced you (books, films, particular experiences, or other things)?

Opportunities & Supports

15. Do you look up to anyone?
16. Do you have a mentor? Are there qualities in this mentor, or in others, that you admire?

Obstacles

17. Has it been hard for you to remain dedicated to this aim? Will it be difficult for you to remain committed down the road? If yes, What were the obstacles? How did you overcome
    them?

Future Goals

18. Are there qualities that you possess that helped you in achieving the goals that are important to you? Are there qualities that you possess that have made it more difficult?
19. Picture yourself at, say, 40 years of age. What will you be doing? Who will be in your life? What will be important to you? What will be going on in the area that concerns you?
20. What are your plans in the immediate future, say the next few years?