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The following questions were asked of 22 informants. The remaining 8 answered
a shorter questionnaire composed of questions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10. I found that
almost every response elicited by the longer questionnaire was elicited by the
shorter, while providing a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere for discussion.
1. The UN Declaration of Human Rights says that “Everyone has a right
to life, liberty and security of person.” [Article 3} Do you think this is true? How
would you answer someone who said no?
2. You’re in a tough chemistry class in which it seems that almost
everyone cheats. The professor doesn’t seem to care, leaving the classroom
during exams for long periods of time. On the midterm you got a D. The people
who cheated got all A’s and B’s. It’s time to take the final. What do you do?
Why?
3. You’re on a committee developing the new moral education curriculum
at Thomas Jefferson High School.
A. What’s the single most important thing you should teach?
B. What if someone disagrees, saying that in some cultures it’s
considered ok to [content based on response to A] What do you say?
4. The UN Declaration of Human Rights says “All human beings are born
free and equal in dignity and rights.” [Article 1] Do you think it’s true? What if
someone says “No, I think some people are better than others and ought to have
more rights.” What do you say?
5. You are working on a government contract. Your company is in
economic trouble, and your boss asks you to over-bill the government—that is,
bill the government for hours that you didn’t work. If you don’t, the company
might go under, and many would lose their jobs. What would you do? Why?
6. What’s the most important thing in the world? Why?
7. Imagine that you are about fifty years old. As a young man/woman,
you were very aggressive in getting to the top. Along the way you told some lies,
and ruined some reputations. Some people were hurt. Now you regret that
deeply. What do you do about it?
8. What is morality? Why be moral?
9. What if someone said to you “I lie, cheat, and steal anytime I think I can
get away with it. Sometimes I get caught, but it’s worth it. I do it for the thrill, like
playing the lottery.” What do you say or do? What do you think?
10. What’s the worst thing in the world? Why?
Most interviews took place in my office, which is fairly comfortable, with
pictures of my grandchildren around. Generally I offered the informant tea or
coffee. In other words, I attempted to offset the persistent questioning (“Why do
you think that way?” “That doesn’t quite make sense to me.”) with a humane
environment and attitude. It seemed to work.
My research was approved by the Human Subjects Review Committee of
my university.
References
Convention