The personal position repertoire method and focus group discussion

Abstract

The advancement of the Dialogiacal Self Theory (DST) in the last two decades has been stimulated by vigorous developments in DST-based research methods recognizing dialogicality as a salient characteristic of the self. This chapter will present the combination of the Personal Position Repertoire (PPR), a method for studying the content and organization of the self, conceived as a dynamic multiplicity of I-positions, with a focus group. This integrated method gives insight into the construction and negotiation of meaning in the dialogue with others and sheds some light on interpersonal processes shaping the content and structure of the self. The chapter is divided into four parts focusing on: (a) the theoretical basis of the PPR method in Dialogical Self Theory, (b) description of the method, including an overview of different possible ways to analyse personal repertoires, (c) two case studies illustrating the application of the PPR method in combination with a focus group discussion, and (d) conclusions discussing the advantages and limitations of the integrated PPR Focus Group method (PPR-FG).