8125

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

28 The Mediation Process
"This conflict is caused by a, and if b is changed, the parties will
be able to move toward agreement." The hypothesis must then
be tested.
Testing hypotheses about conflicts involves designing in-
terventions that challenge or modify the attitudes, behaviors,
or structural relationship of the disputants. These interven-
tions are often grounded in a theory that identifies a particu-
lar cause for the conflict and suggests prescriptive actions.
For example, one theory about the cause of conflict has com-
munication as its base. Most communication theories propose
that conflict is the result of poor communication in either
quality, quantity, or form. The theory postulates that if the
quality of the information exchanged can be improved, the
right quantity of communication can be attained, and if these
data are put into the correct form, the causes of the dispute will
be addressed and the participants will move toward resolution.
A mediator following the communications theory of con-
flict might begin by observing disputants communicating very
poorly: One can hardly speak without the other interrupting,
they have difficulty focusing on present issues and constantly
digress to arguments over past wrongs that tend to escalate the
conflict, and the dispute develops into a shouting match. The
mediator observes the interaction, hypothesizes that one cause
of the dispute is the inability of the disputants to talk with each
other in a constructive and restrained manner, and proceeds to
experiment with modifications of their communication patterns
(quality, quantity, and form) to see if he or she can change the
conflict dynamics. The mediator may suggest that they discuss
one topic at a time, may obtain their permission to monitor
them, may establish ground rules about insults, or may even
separate them so that they can communicate only through the
mediator.
Each intervention is a test of the theory and a hypothesis
that part of the dispute is caused by communication problems,
and that if these difficulties can be lessened or eliminated, the
parties will have a better chance of reaching settlement. If the
desired effect is not achieved, the intervenor may reject the spe-
cific move as ineffective and try another. If several interventions