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mediators becoming more eclectic in the use of other discourses because of
experience and training? Or, is this an attempt
to legitimate themselves and
their work? This question might also be asked of those who volunteer their
time as mediators then contrasted with those who charge for their services.
Question 11: Can the style of a mediator be predicted by knowing their
characteristics and the characteristics of their clients?
In Chapter 6, which examined
differences in how mediators
understood their style of mediation and how these were linked contextual
variables, the notion was raised that an individuals’ style of mediation might
be predicted if their profile and that of their clients was known.
This idea
stemmed from finding that patterns of style were linked to educational
background and gender. To illustrate,
female mediators,
in general, use more
relational language to describe their style.
So do mediators with social
science backgrounds. On the other hand, male mediators, in general, use
more problem-solving language, as do those with backgrounds in law or
business. It would be interesting to test this question in a controlled study.
The findings might lend insight to how best regulate the field. They would
also be useful
to consumers of mediation, as well as those who run mediation
programs or have the task of assigning mediators to cases.
