8125

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8125
• Author: Moore, C. W.
• Title: Editor
• USFW Year: Series
• USFW - Doc Type: 1986
• Copyright Material: YES

How Mediation Works 25
quent problems are hereafter referred to as stages because they
constitute major steps that parties must take to reach agreement.
There are stages for both negotiation and mediation, which, for
the most part, directly correspond to each other.
Mediators make two types of interventions in response to
critical situations: general or noncontingent and specific or con-
tingent moves (Kochan and Jick, 1978.
Noncontingent moves are general interventions that a me-
diator initiates in all disputes. These moves are responses to the
broadest categories of critical situations and correspond to the
stages of mediation. They are linked to the overall pattern of
conflict development and resolution. Noncontingent moves en-
able the mediator to
1. gain entry to the dispute,
2. assist the parties in selecting the appropriate conflict reso-
lution approach and arena,
3. collect data and analyze the conflict,
4. design a mediation plan,
5. practice conciliation,
6. assist the parties in beginning productive negotiations,
7. identify important issues and build an agenda,
8. identify interests,
9. aid the parties in developing settlement options,
10. assist in assessing the options,
11. promote final bargaining, and
12. aid in developing an implementation. and monitoring plan.
I will examine these moves and stages in more detail later in this
chapter.
Smaller noncontingent moves are initiated by mediators
within each stage. Examples of this level of moves include acti-
vities to build credibility for the process, promote rapport be-
tween the parties and the mediator, and frame issues into a
more manageable form, as well as develop procedures to con-
duct cost-benefit evaluations on settlement options.
Contingent moves are responses to special or idiosyn-
cratic problems that occur in some negotiations. Interventions