1. 1. MEDIATION: THEORIES AND MECHANICS BY CRYSTAL WOODS
2. 2. WHAT IS MEDIATION? Mediation is essentially a method of third party intervention. Examples of mediation include, a wing-man or woman at a(n) in-formal event. Another example is a hired professional who helps differing parties come to some common ground. A brief example: https://youtu.be/db4rxbIZoQ0 Link to reading: http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=23456800&site=eds-live&scope=site
3. 3. THREE THEORETICAL APPROACHES Self- Determination Theory (SDT)- An essential part of human nature Transaction Resource Theory (TRT)- The wing-man or woman concept Collective Choice Theory (CCT)- Often found in politics (Imperati & Maser, 2014). Link to Reading: http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=97790022&site=eds-live&scope=site
4. 4. SELF- DETERMINATION THEORY (SDT) Derived from the field of psychology The mediator is called upon to help resolve a(n) inter-personal conflict All parties including the mediator have a stake in the conflict
5. 5. TRANSACTION RESOURCE THEORY (TRT) From the field of Economics Often seen when introducing or negotiating mixed motived Also known as the wing-man or woman
6. 6. COLLECTIVE CHOICE THEORY From the field of political science The challenge of translating individual preferences into group preference Either side could have manipulated the process Perpetual and time consuming
7. 7. POSSIBLE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT OUTCOMES: Ceasefire- The intent to pause the dispute long enough to reach agreement Full-Settlement- Both partied come to agree on some mutual terms Partial-Settlement- Not all terms were agreed upon but some were Unsuccessful- No one from either side, including the mediator was able to reach agreement Link to reading: http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=23456800&site=eds- live&scope=site
8. 8. Four phases of mediation Phase 1: Opening- Intro of all parties and the issue that is at hand Phase 2: Private caucuses- Each party explains their point of view Phase 3: Breaking through impasses- Addressing the problem and finding common ground Phase 4: Disposition- The final resolve is either a full-settlement, partial-settlement, a ceasefire, or unsuccessful (Scott & Wilson, 2015, p.21). Link to reading: http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=100572036&site=eds- live&scope=site
9. 9. So what about ethics? People should assess the risks of engaging in mediation (from these three basic standpoints), no matter how well intentioned. Well-crafted standards of practice minimize those risks (Imperati & Maser, 2014, p. 243). The moral tenants of Immanuel Kant (1785) focus on duty rather than consequence to help guide society (Place, 2010, p.227). Autonomy from a public relations standpoint, enables practitioners to make decisions based in ethics rather than subjectivity, fear of job loss, or client and employer relationships (Bowen, 2004).
10. 10. A LOOK INTO QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH According to Grunig (2008), we should be able to determine the value of public relations by measuring the quality of relationships with strategic publics (p. 97).
11. 11. A List of Quantitative Research Methods: Quantitative methods include surveys of experiments with members of scientifically segmented publics (Grunig, 2008) Advisory groups Content analysis Cyber analysis Focus groups Interviews Literature Review Naturally occurring information Observations
12. 12. THREE LEVELS OF ANALYTICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS (GRUNIG, 2008) Program Functional Organizational
13. 13. THE PROGRAM LEVEL Media relations, community relations, or employee relations that are components of the overall publics relations function of an organization.
14. 14. THE FUNCTIONAL LEVEL Evaluation of the overall publics relations function of an organization which typically included several communication programs for different publics.
15. 15. THE ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL Public relations contributions to the overall effectiveness of the organization. These contributions add value- sometimes monetary- to the organization.
16. 16. AN EXAMPLE OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH From the Bercovitch 2000 International Conflict Management data set, a literature review and comparative analysis was completed. Findings suggest, that directive strategies and international mediators are most effective in resolving high intensity conflicts, whereas procedural strategies and regional mediators are more effective in resolving low intensity conflicts (Bercovitch & Gartner, 2006). Bercovitch and Gartner (2006) take an CCT approach to the data laying claim that, mediation is a rational, political process, representing a strategic engagement between parties and a mediator, which, under some conditions, may stop violence and hostilities or even facilitate a peace agreement and a transformation of the conflict (p. 331).
17. 17. A BRIEF LOOK: Notice 46.47% frequency usage for state mediation vs. 4.50% for individual. Also note that communication frequency usage of mediation is at 52.46% vs. 18.44% for procedural.
18. 18. A BRIEF LOOK: Notice that both table 4A & 4B, by comparison show of mediation successfulness to be the highest at the state and regional level, regardless of outcome.
19. 19. SUMMARY This example of quantitative research is basic however, its comparative analysis and theoretical literature can be used to interpret several standpoints where mediation is most effective. More clearly explained methods of the process and codification of the data should be offered in the article, which I feel it lacks and a look at social networking, its role, and effectiveness on an international -political platform would help make the data set more comprehensive. Lastly, mediation is a scientific way to gauge and resolve disputes, mixed motive agreements, and negotiations wherein groups cannot find some common ground. Although the results here suggest mediation is best applied in state and regional sceneries, mediation can be helpful for others such as small group intervention and organizational change processes.
20. 20. WORKS CITED Bercovitech, J. & Gartner, S.S. (2006). Is there method in the madness of mediation? Some lessons for mediators from quantitative studies of mediation. International Interactions, 32 p. 329-354. New York: Routledge. DOI: 10.1080/0305062061011024. Bohmelt, T. (2009). International mediation and social networks: The importance of indirect ties. International Interactions, 35,p. 298-319. New York: Routledge. DOI: 10.1080/02050620903084786. Bowen, S.A. (2004). Expansion of ethics as the tenth generic principle of public relations excellence: A Kantian theory and model for managing ethical issues. Journal For Public Relations Research, 16(1), 65-92. Grunig, J.E. (2008). Conceptualizing quantitative research in public relations. In Public Relations Metrics: Research and Evaluation (Eds.) Betteke Van Ruler, Ana Tkala Vercic, and Dejan Vercic. New York: Routledge pp. 88-115. Imperati, S.J. & Maser, S.M. (2014). Why does anyone mediate if mediation risks psychological dissatisfaction, extra costs, and manipulation? Three theories reveal paradoxes resolved by mediator standards of ethical practice. Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution, 29 (2),p. 223-260. Place, K.R. (2010). A qualitative examination of public relations practitioner ethical decision making and the deontological theory of ethical issues management. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 25,p.226-245. New York: Routledge. DOI: 10.1080/08900523.2010.497405. Scott, K.B., & Wilson, C.W. (2015). Mediation 101- Help me help you: Musings of a mediator and an attorney. Utah Bar Journal 28(1) pp. 18- 22.