THE EXPERIENCE

       The process of recording a person's life history requires both the interviewer and interviewee to maintain active, dynamic roles throughout the course of the project.  These present differently in both people.   Passivity on the part of either has the potential to hinder certain successes in the project.  The degree to which the the researching pair succeeds in establishing and maintaining  mutuality in WILLINGNESS TO SHARE determines ultimately, how effective the project may be.  (open to speculation.  "effective" is highly subjective)  Given the presence of a strong, honest rapport from the beginning, in conjunction with probing interrogative prompts and an unyielding confidence in the project and one another, the interviewer and interviewee can make the project highly rewarding for one another.  

INTELLECTUAL EXPERIENCE

    As previously mentioned, sharing multiple interviews, whether formal "question/answer" format or simply a chatty conversation, can make for a "meeting of the minds" between the interviewer and interviewee.  They can begin discussing a relatively mundane subject only to eventually and unexpectedly, uncover something that sparks curiosity.  This can, in turn, prompt debate, speculation or working to learn more about the issue.  In these among other ways, the research, speaking and writing involved with the process of developing  a life history can make it an intellectual experience.  

EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE

    It is virtually inevitable that in discussing significant occurrences in a person's life the topics of birth, death, various personal or family trauma and spirituality/religion won't surface.  These all have a tendency to trigger the onset of some fairly potent emotions.  In this manner, the life history project is an emotional experience.  This applies primarily to the individual who is being interviewed, but can nearly just as likely prompt emotional arousal in the interviewer.  This may be due, in part to personal experience, but also may arrive as an empathetic response to witnessing the emotionality of the other person. 

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