1. MEDIATION: THEORIES AND MECHANICS BY CRYSTAL WOODS
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:
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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).
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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. 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. 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. 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:
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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:
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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. 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. 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. THREE LEVELS OF ANALYTICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS (GRUNIG,
2008) Program Functional Organizational
13. THE PROGRAM LEVEL Media relations, community relations, or
employee relations that are components of the overall publics
relations function of an organization.
14. THE FUNCTIONAL LEVEL Evaluation of the overall publics
relations function of an organization which typically included
several communication programs for different publics.
15. THE ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL Public relations contributions to
the overall effectiveness of the organization. These contributions
add value- sometimes monetary- to the organization.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.