Intro to Mediation
Cassandra R. Taylor
Bethel University
As stated by Moore, “Mediation is a conflict resolution process in which a mutually acceptable third party, who has no authority to make binding decisions for disputants, intervenes in a conflict or dispute to assist involved parties to improve their relationships, enhance communications, and use effective problem-solving and negotiation procedures to reach voluntary and mutually acceptable understanding or agreements on contested issues” (pg. 705). Mediators bring a lot to the table when dealing with conflicts. They do five significant things to bridge the gaps on conflicts. They change the structure of the interaction and make both parties approach the conflict in a different way. They bring an approach to mediation which depends on the type of conflict that is going on. They bring a set of skills in communication, negation, and problem solving. These skills are very natural for mediators that are very experienced in the field. They bring their personal commitment, vision, and humanity to the interaction. And last, they bring a set of values and ethics which is very well needed when dealing with people who have none. Recently, there was a friend that went through emotional impasse. She had just experienced her first heart ache and could not find the way to go on with her life. Her feelings would not allow her to move forward with her daily routines. Many people that experience divorces and death will have emotional impasse. To get over an
