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60 The Mediation Process proposals. Entering the situation before a genuine deadlock is reached creates an atmosphere of relax- ation in the parties, and consequently, the media- tor has no basic element to keep the parties mov- ing. Requesting the services of a mediator before the bona fide deadlock is usually a trick used by one or both parties to extend the negotiations. An intervention at this time will discourage the parties from reaching an agreement. One or both parties will relax their efforts while the mediator gets his fingers burned. Proponents of early entry, on the other hand, argue that psychological readiness and motivation for settlement can often be accelerated by an efficient mediation process intro- duced early into a dispute. Early introduction of mediation can decrease levels of frustration, can diminish polarization, and can promote positive results. Success, rather than mutual frustra- tion, can then become the driving force for negotiations. The timing of entry is clearly an important strategic deci- sion for mediators. At the current stage of research, not enough is known to specify in an unqualified manner the conditions under which early entry is superior to later intervention. Media- tors should assess whether they believe early entry will be more detrimental to the disputants than delay. If their answer is no, an early intervention is probably the safer route.