Rapport building

Definition

Rapport building is the process of creating a positive, trusting, and understanding relationship between an interviewer and interviewee. Establishing rapport is essential for facilitating open communication, especially when discussing difficult topics or interviewing sensitive individuals. This connection enhances active listening, encourages candid responses, and fosters a conducive environment for various types of interviews and source cultivation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Building rapport can lead to more insightful and genuine responses from interviewees, especially in sensitive situations where trust is critical.
2. Techniques like mirroring body language, maintaining eye contact, and showing genuine interest can effectively foster rapport.
3. Effective rapport building helps interviewers navigate difficult topics by creating a safe space for open dialogue.
4. Establishing rapport is particularly important when dealing with reluctant or challenging interviewees, as it can ease tension and resistance.
5. Good rapport can also benefit journalists long-term by cultivating a network of reliable sources who are more willing to share information.

Review Questions

• How does rapport building influence the quality of responses obtained during interviews?
  • Rapport building plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of responses during interviews. When interviewers establish a trusting relationship with their subjects, interviewees are more likely to share their thoughts openly and candidly. This open communication can lead to deeper insights and more nuanced understanding of complex issues, particularly when discussing sensitive topics or interviewing difficult individuals.
• Discuss the techniques that can be used to build rapport with difficult interviewees and how these techniques can affect the outcome of an interview.
  • To build rapport with difficult interviewees, techniques such as active listening, mirroring their body language, maintaining appropriate eye contact, and expressing empathy can be effective. These strategies help create a comfortable atmosphere that encourages trust and openness. By establishing rapport, interviewers may find that even the most challenging subjects become more willing to engage in conversation and share valuable insights, ultimately leading to a more productive interview experience.
• Evaluate the long-term benefits of rapport building in cultivating sources within a beat and how this practice impacts journalistic integrity.
  • The long-term benefits of rapport building in cultivating sources within a beat include establishing reliable relationships that can provide valuable information over time. When journalists take the time to build trust and understanding with their sources, they foster an environment where open communication thrives. This practice not only enriches the journalist's access to credible information but also enhances journalistic integrity by ensuring that sources feel respected and valued, which is essential for responsible reporting.

Related terms

Empathy:

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, which is vital in establishing rapport during interviews.

Trust: A fundamental component of rapport that allows interviewees to feel safe sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Non-verbal communication: The transmission of messages or information without the use of words, such as body language and facial expressions, which can significantly impact rapport.