5.2: Mediation
Mediation is relatively inexpensive, fast, and confidential. A downside to this method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) may be that mediation relies on the parties' willingness to participate and on the skill of the mediator. The description of mediation has traditionally been focused on presenting the problem of the parties. The mediator looks at the conflict as a solvable problem. The objective is similar to a win-win negotiation, where the goal is to have both parties' interests met. In problem-solving mediation, success for the mediator is to have a resolution of the dispute. In transformative mediation, the mediator's goal is to increase each party's empowerment and recognition of each other rather than a one-time settlement of the dispute.
Conflict tends to destabilize each party's experience of themselves and others so that each party feels both more vulnerable and more self-absorbed than they did before the conflict. According to the transformative theory, people can regain their footing and shift back to a restored sense of strength or self-confidence. This outcome matters most to the parties in conflict. A transformative mediator will view empowerment and recognition as successful outcomes for the parties. How would you compare and contrast the objective of traditional mediation with that of transformative mediation?