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42 The Mediation Process vocates of substantive involvement by the mediator that may in- clude actually forging the decision. Between them are mediators who pursue a role with mixed involvement in process and sub- stance. I lean strongly toward the process end of the spectrum because I believe that the parties should have the primary re- sponsibility for self-determination. On rare occasions, however, the mediator has an ethical responsibility to raise critical ques- tions about substantive options under consideration by the par- ties. These situations include cases where the agreement appears to be extremely inequitable to one or more of the parties, does not look as if it will hold over time, seems likely to result in renewed conflict at a later date, or where the terms of settlement are so loose (or confining) that implementation is not feasible. I believe the mediator should also intervene in cases involving the potential for violence or actual violence to one or more parties, either primary or secondary. Depending on the role that the mediator or the mediator and the parties assign the intervenor, he or she will have to de- cide which types of interventions he or she will perform. In defining interventions, the mediator must decide on (1) the level of intervention, (2) the target of intervention, (3) the fo- cus of intervention, and (4) the intensity of intervention. The level of intervention refers to how much the media- tor concentrates on helping negotiators move through the gen- eral critical situation, for example, the stages of bargaining, ver- sus afocus on particular idiosyncratic problems that are pushing the parties toward impasse. In some disputes the parties may need assistance to break a particular deadlock, while others will need mediator assistance throughout the bargaining process. The target of intervention refers to the person or people to whom the mediator directs his or her moves. Should moves be directed to all parties, to a relationship within the group such as a subgroup or team, or to a particular person? In a post- marital dispute, for example, should the mediator focus on changing the ex-wife's move, the ex-husband's, or both, or should he or she focus on the entire family system, including children, ex-spouses, stepparents, and grandparents? Ina com-