Facilitative mediation as a sociocultural practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/UCS.2024.2(15).11Keywords:
mediation, facilitation, sociocultural practice, emotional structure, emotional rules, role structure, informality, spatial structure, temporal structureAbstract
Background. The current trend in conflict resolution emphasizes non-violent, less traumatic, and non-repressive communication. This approach focuses on halting destructive behaviours and fostering mutually beneficial solutions, with conflict resolution methods seen as a conscious effort shaped by value-based considerations. This shift aligns with the trend towards the 'democratisation' of fairness and recognition of individual autonomy in decision-making, as seen in the rise of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method. This article examines the key characteristics of facilitative mediation as a specific practice of resource management at its current stage of development, drawing on the insights of mediators practising in the United Kingdom. A holistic approach is proposed, which considers the simultaneous functioning of role, emotional, temporal, and spatial structures within the practice.
Methods. Interdisciplinary approach, comparative analysis, induction, deduction, generalisation, analysis, synthesis, and the descriptive method.
Results. The dialogue in mediation is examined at individual, interpersonal, and intergroup levels. The functioning of attitudes, actions, positions, and interests in mediation process is explored. The study examines perspective-taking, social roles, informality, and the emotional structure of mediation, including emotional rules.
Conclusions. Offline mediation is a unique form of mediation, as third party mediates the parties from each other with them co-present. Each of the studied structures has a specific dynamic pattern. Dialogue patterns are consistent across all communication levels. Mediation creates its own social reality with specific emotional rules. Emotions are regulated by temporal and spatial factors.
References
Bergman, R., 2023. Conflict analysis needs better tools. Mediate.com, 10 January. Available at: https://mediate.com/conflict-analysis-needs-better-tools/ [Accessed 9 February 2023].
Bond, C. F., Kenny, D. A., Horn Broome, E., Stokes-Zoota, J. J. & Richard, F. D., 2000. Multivariate analysis of triadic relations. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 35(3), pp. 397-426. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327906mbr3503_05.
Burke, K., 1969. Intrinsic and extrinsic. A Grammar of Motives. University of California Press, Berkeley, pp. 46-51.
Davis, M. H., 2006. Empathy. In: J. E. Stets & J. H. Turner, eds. Handbook of the sociology of emotions. Springer, New York, NY, pp. 443-467.
Dingle, J. & Kelbie, J., 2014. The mediation handbook 2014/15. Unicorn Press.
Goffman, Erving. “The Interaction Order. American Sociological Association, 1982 Presidential Address.” American Sociological Review, vol. 48, no. 1, Feb. 1983, pp. 1–17, https://doi.org/10.2307/2095141.
Hartnell, N., 2018. Control and choices - a mediator's perspective. The Family Law Company by Hartnell Chanot, 17 July. Available at: https://www.thefamilylawco.co.uk/blog/mediation-and-collaboration/control-and-choices-a-mediators-perspective/ [Accessed 18 February 2023].
Hartnell, N., 2022. Ten top tips for mediation. The Family Law Company by Hartnell Chanot, 27 September. Available at: https://www.thefamilylawco.co.uk/blog/mediation-and-collaboration/ten-top-tips-for-mediation/ [Accessed 20 February 2023].
Howard, A., 2018. 'Don't just do something. Sit there.' The power of silence. Kluwer Mediation Blog, 21 December. Available at: http://mediationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2018/12/21/dont-just-do-something-sit-there-the-power-of-silence/ [Accessed 6 January 2023].
Howard, A., 2019. The soul of mediation & leaving a legacy for the next generation. Kluwer Mediation Blog, 9 January. Available at: http://mediationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2018/06/13/soul-mediation-leaving-legacy-next-generation [Accessed 5 January 2023].
Irvine, C., 2010. What mediators can learn from the UK's seven principles of public life. Mediate.com, 10 May. Available at: https://mediate.com/what-mediators-can-learn-from-the-uks-seven-principles-of-public-life/ [Accessed 10 February 2023].
Irvine, C., 2014. Mind the gap: mediation and justice. Kluwer Mediation Blog, 12 May. Available at: https://mediationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2014/05/12/mind-the-gap-mediation-and-justice/ [Accessed 3 February 2023].
Irvine, C., 2020. What do 'lay' people know about justice? An empirical enquiry. International Journal of Law in Context, 16(2), pp. 146-164. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/s1744552320000117.
Irvine, C., 2020. Why mediators need to stop apologising about justice. Kluwer Mediation Blog, 13 February.
Kemp, P., 2019. How do you expect me to mediate? My ex is a total nightmare. In: R. Giraud, et al., eds. 101 Questions Answered When Separating with Children. 2nd ed. Bath Publishing, Bath, pp. 137-139.
Kemp, P., 2021. 5 Life lessons we can learn from elephants. The Worcester Family Mediation Practice, 30 November. Available at: https://www.twfmp.co.uk/post/5-life-lessons-we-can-learn-from-elephants [Accessed 23 February 2023].
Kemper, T. D., 2006. Power and status and the power-status theory of emotions. In: J. E. Stets & J. H. Turner, eds. Handbook of the sociology of emotions. Springer, New York, NY, pp. 87-111.
Kishore, S., 2006. The evolving concepts of neutrality and impartiality in mediation. Commonwealth Law Bulletin, 32(2), pp. 221-225. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/03050710600907056.
Maiwald, K.-O. & Suerig, I., 2020. Emotions: how feelings become part of social action. In: Microsociology: A Tool Kit for Interaction Analysis. Routledge, Oxon, Abingdon, pp. 143-156.
Maiwald, K.-O. & Suerig, I., 2020. Taking the perspective of others: who we are as far as others are concerned. In: Microsociology: A Tool Kit for Interaction Analysis. Routledge, Oxon, Abingdon, pp. 63-77.
Meyer, Christian. “Face‐to‐face communication.” The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy, Oct. 2016, pp. 1–9., https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118766804.wbiect045.
Peterson, G., 2006. Cultural theory and emotions. In: J. E. Stets & J. H. Turner, eds. Handbook of the sociology of emotions. Springer, New York, NY, pp. 114-133.
Pokotylo, E., 2023. Interaction within the mediation framework. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Publishing Center «Kyiv University», pp. 364-369.
Robey, J., 2019. How Can I Get the Most out of Mediation? In: R. Giraud, et al., eds. 101 Questions Answered When Separating with Children. 2nd ed. Bath Publishing, Bath, pp. 45-46.
Sacks, Harvey. “On the preferences for agreement and contiguity in sequences in conversation.” Talk and Social Organisation, 31 Dec. 1987, pp. 54–69, https://doi.org/10.21832/9781800418226–004.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Еліна Покотило
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Read the policy here: https://https://ucs.knu.ua/law
