Reflection Paper On Mediation

A special research field in the mediation literature intends to shed light on the question, how influential the impact of mediator’s characteristics and motivations on the mediation process is. Concerning the state of research, the studies of this debate show a divergent picture. There are scientists who have queried the significance of mediator’s impartiality (Bercovitch/Houston 1996; Kydd 2003, Touval 1982; Zartmann/Touval 1996). Scholars like Saadia Touval have underpinned that mediators are often biased and can perform their tasks just as well if not better as impartial mediators. Additionally, Touval and Zartmann stated in their study that mediation is an exercise in power politics: “leverage is the ticket to mediation” (Touval/Zartmann 1989: 129). In 2003, Kydd finds that mediators use their leverage to one of the two conflicting parties and therefore constraint concessions. Thus, the mediator must be biased to be effective. This means that merely a mediator who is biased towards one side can credibility tell them that the opponent will not make peace without the concession. Carnevale and Arad (1996) also remarked the importance of bias. Nevertheless, they suggest that impartiality should not be underestimated and therefore be taken in to consideration.

Traditional approaches to mediation assume that a conflict’s parties and a mediator share one compelling reason for initiating mediation: a desire to reduce,abate,or resolve a conflict.To this end,both sides may invest personnel,time,and resources in the mediation.This shared humanititarian interest maybe the only genuine reason in a few instances of mediation,but normally even this interest intertwines with other, less altruistic,

* active listening helps improve mutual understanding and sorting out problems – open up and say what they really mean

Dr. McKinney illustrates these tensions as a contradiction; the idea of conflict between desires in a relationship. Mediation is a wonderful process in negotiating a solution between two parties thwarted by

“A mediator is a third party who assists interested parties in negotiating a conflict. A mediator controls the mediation process but does not have authority to decide the outcome for the parties” (Barsky, 2007). A mediator, in a given situation, helps to dissolve the conflict and looks to the best interest

Fells (2016, p. 211) wrote “ just as a doctor works to bring a person back to health, so too a mediator works to bring a deadlocked negotiation back to a situation where the parties can reach agreement”. This essay discusses this statement with reference to contemporary research on dispute resolution. In order to comprehend how this is achieved, we must consider the essence of mediation, the different types of mediation and what mediators do. Negotiation and mediation are process used to resolve opposing preferences between parties. Negotiation is defined in Fells (2016, p. 3) as “a process by which two parties with differences that they need to resolve try to reach agreement through

Ms. Coleman telephoned to notify me of the mediation session scheduled June 30, 2016, with Ms. Lisa D. Canty.

Mediating and advocating for clients is an essential service provided by human service workers, but not everyone is cut out for the job; it takes encouraging, knowledgeable, and non-judgmental individuals to maintain the integrity of both the mediation and advocating processes. While an advocate is most likely found standing up for a specific group or a particular issue, a mediator helps assist two or more parties in resolving a conflict without expressing any favoritism. In order for a mediator to maintain unbiased and preserve the reliability of the mediation process, they must seek out an agency that provides services that correlate with their own belief system; otherwise they will have to check their own set of values and beliefs at the door which can be incredibly difficult, and in some cases – impossible.

Mediation is a one form of intervention, where parties' representatives may sit on the table and discuss about their issues. Mediator has to be neutral and acceptable for all the parties in the conflict. When I take a role as a mediator in Ferguson conflict, I have to look at the marginalized people. Definitely, the Black community is one of the disadvantaged group throughout the years. Mediator should be aware about the scenario, so I emphasize on the study of past incidents, structural setting of institutions, current initiatives, and possible future actions. This process

There are three major conflict interventions: mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. Each of these interventions have pros and cons. Mediation is the one intervention that incorporates creativity in the resolution process so it benefits all disputants involved. Mediation also promotes collaboration and cooperation more so than arbitration and negotiation do. It is also a more cost efficient for the disputants and is more likely to resolve conflicts quicker. Mediators help defuse anger, improve communication, and specifically work on trust building. Mediation ensures that the matter can be handled privately without risk of public reprimand. On the other hand, mediation does not always result in a settlement like arbitration does. Mediation

Authentic connection with others, first requires looking inward as a mediator. In the essay, Humanistic Mediation: A Transformative Journey of Peacemaking, author Mark Umbreit outlines for key questions we should be asking ourselves to achieve emotional honesty (Umbreit, 1997, 208). These four questions were developed from family therapists Virginia Satir and highlight what it means to “present” as a family therapists, but these questions can be applied on multiple levels, including the art of being an effective mediator. These four questions include:

Despite having no mediation experience prior to this class, I immediately excelled in a few areas of mediation. Namely, I did well with the introduction, exuding confidence, and helping the disputants move toward a resolution. Each of these skills is extremely important for mediators as they help set the tone, maintain control of the conversation or accomplish the goal of mediation. Of course, I improved with I practice, but I performed admirably in each of these arenas from the outset.

The role play mediation focused on identifying the issues, creating options and reaching an agreement based upon the information brought forward by the two disputing parties. The issue between the parties was due to one of the parties being constantly interrupted by the other parties’ noise and as a result, was unable to finish her manuscript. Using a facilitative model of mediation, the mediator was able to assist the parties to come to an agreement that worked for both of them. A facilitative mediation incorporates the needs and interests of the parties, to arrive at an outcome that both parties are happy with. As a result, the parties settled on an agreement that allowed both to continue with their activities, but with certain conditions. The conditions allowed each individual to continue with their actions as long as they followed the schedule created, until the soundproofing was installed at a later date.

When all participants of mediation are involved and do their part in the process, it is likely that mediation will succeed. This full participation begins prior to the actual start of mediation. Each party should begin their participation in the process by assisting in the planning of the mediation process. Each party needs to help their attorney prepare for the mediation and then listen carefully to what the opposing counsel offers with their opening statement. This is a good preview of what the judge or jury will hear if the mediation is not successful and the case goes to

A problem that may be associated with mediation is power imbalance. Unfortunately, the mediator is only a third party which is present to assist the disputants with their communication to ensure it does not break down and help them reach a decision; however “the parties are in ultimate control, the mediator should not intervene even if one party has more bargaining power than the other” . This can in some cases result in an unfair agreement. Another adverse side of mediation is that; “basically anyone can hang out a sign and practice mediation” - meaning that mediators do not need to undergo a long period of study to ensure their professionalism and knowledge of dispute resolution. This can be harmful to the system and may result in cases being handled by unprofessional personals.