Chapter 9: Third Party Intervention

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Questions and Answers

How does party involvement in selecting a third party affect their perception of fairness?

It generally makes them perceive the intervention as more unfair.

It has no impact on their perception of fairness.

It leads to misunderstandings about the third party's role.

It generally makes them perceive the intervention as fairer. (correct)

What aspect of third party control involves influencing parties to take desired actions?

Feedback control

Motivational control (correct)

Process control

Content control

What is an example of a motivational control exercised by managers?

Providing performance evaluations.

Giving employees more autonomy.

Offering training to employees.

Controlling incentives like promotions. (correct)

Why is the perception of a mediator's neutrality important?

It helps in conflicts stemming from deep ideological clashes. Signup and view all the answers

How might a labor mediator incentivize parties to move towards resolution?

By threatening to disclose unreasonable demands to the press. Signup and view all the answers

Which party has control over incentives influencing dispute outcomes?

Informal third party intervenors, like parents or managers. Signup and view all the answers

What might an international mediator threaten to do to encourage conflict resolution?

Withdraw economic resources from the countries involved. Signup and view all the answers

What type of conflict is particularly noted to benefit from perceptions of mediator neutrality?

Conflicts resulting from deep ideological clashes. Signup and view all the answers

What role do third parties play in conflict interaction?

They become active participants by making moves and responding with countermoves. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to conflict interaction when a third party is involved?

Independent decision-making of third parties Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of moves in conflict interaction?

To initiate reactions that lead to further interaction Signup and view all the answers

How does the involvement of a third party affect the predictability of themes in conflict?

It reinforces existing predictable themes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the property of self-perpetuating momentum imply in the context of third-party intervention?

It highlights the tendency of interactions to continue evolving once initiated. Signup and view all the answers

What tendency has been observed among labor arbitrators when settling grievances?

They often favor management's interests over workers' rights. Signup and view all the answers

When disputing parties exhibit high hostility, which action do mediators tend to take?

Pressing for concessions from one or both parties. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to cause pressure tactics during mediation?

Parties displaying high levels of hostility toward each other. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the mediator's perception when dealing with varying levels of common ground?

They tend to exhibit high concern for parties' aspirations. Signup and view all the answers

In which situation would a mediator likely show a low concern for the aspirations of the parties?

When disputing parties have antagonistic attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What strategy might a mediator use to change bargaining expectations during a conflict?

Pointing out the costs associated with not settling. Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of high hostility between parties typically lead to in mediation?

The deployment of pressure tactics by mediators. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome when mediators perceive a low level of common ground?

Higher likelihood of mediator inaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of a mediator staging a conversation with the inflexible party’s lawyer?

It can help open communication channels. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern arises from the mediator's use of pressure tactics?

It may undermine the mediator's neutrality. Signup and view all the answers

When are pressure tactics seen as justifiable in mediation?

When they help in reaching a fair agreement. Signup and view all the answers

What effect can presenting too many issues during negotiation have?

It can overwhelm the parties involved. Signup and view all the answers

What role do mediators play when bargainers lack experience?

They simplify agendas and educate parties. Signup and view all the answers

What can mediators do when faced with too many negotiation issues?

Attempt to reduce the agenda and prioritize effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Why are third parties likely to reject settlement suggestions when absent parties' interests are not well represented?

They feel that the suggestions may harm the absent parties. Signup and view all the answers

What potential risk is associated with mediators pressuring inflexible parties?

It leads to increased party investment in their positions. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a mediator's pressure tactic prioritize the mediator's needs over the parties?

It potentially accelerates the resolution process for the mediator's convenience. Signup and view all the answers

How do third party intervenors affect conflict interaction?

Their moves shape and define interaction in significant ways. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of when mediators apply pressure tactics excessively?

It could lead to parties feeling manipulated and less likely to cooperate. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for involving a third party in a conflict?

To alter the self-perpetuating nature of conflict interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the self-perpetuating nature of conflict interaction?

The resistance to change from the parties involved. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of moves made by third parties in conflicts?

They reflect endorsed power and adapt to influences. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do third parties have in conflict cycles?

They can break the cycles of repetitive interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of conflict interaction suggests the need for a third party's involvement?

The repetitive tendencies that are hard to control. Signup and view all the answers

What purpose do dispute-resolution services serve in business environments?

They facilitate out-of-court settlements for various disputes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles have developed to address conflicts within organizations?

Hearing officers, ombudspersons, and client representatives Signup and view all the answers

How has the role of middle managers evolved concerning conflict resolution?

They are increasingly viewed as dispute resolvers in conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus in examining how third parties influence conflict?

The impact of their interventions on parties’ conflict interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What framework does the chapter suggest for analyzing third-party intervention in conflict?

A framework based on conflict interaction properties. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do the moves of third-party intervenors have on conflict?

They can alter the course of conflict interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the changes in third-party roles within employer-employee relationships?

Changes in employer–employee relationships themselves. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a role typically associated with third-party interventions in organizations?

Conflict specialists Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Third Party Intervention

Conflict interaction is self-perpetuating, impacting interaction patterns, escalation cycles, and climate.
Third parties intervene in conflicts for various reasons, from spontaneous attempts to planned interventions, including fact-finders, process consultants, clergy, managers, and government diplomats.
Third-party intervention roles vary across settings, including community dispute resolution programs, mediating landlord-tenant disputes, divorce cases, and business disputes.
Third party involvement fundamentally alters the conflict dynamic, introducing new moves and countermoves. Outsiders often identify persistent interaction patterns and possibilities for change more readily than those directly involved.
Third party actions in conflicts are influenced by, and influence, parties' interaction, power dynamics, and perceptions.
Third party mandates shape intervention styles.
- Mandate source determines the intervention's scope and power, including formal (legal, societal, organizational) or informal (expert knowledge, relations/relationships).
- Process control involves managing procedures (scheduling, decision-making rules, decorum).
- Content control determines the intervention's impact on discussion points (framing, evaluating, adding, removing issues).
- Motivational control influences actions and behaviors (incentives, pressure).
Responsiveness to emerging interaction influences intervention moves.
- Intervenors respond to unfolding situations and adapt accordingly.
- Mandate limits are flexible, and intervenors' decisions are context-dependent.
Content control: Third parties influence the substance of the agreement, from suggesting solutions or evaluations of positions to imposing terms directly. Arbitrators hold significant content control, whereas mediators maintain less.
Motivational control: The level to which third parties encourage or discourage certain actions. Facilitators and conciliators have less explicit motivational control compared to arbitrators or mediators.
Conflict interaction's self-perpetuating nature influences third-party interventions.
Third parties may inadvertently perpetuate cycles, especially when roles or approaches become predictable.
Third-party intervention has a significant impact on how individuals define issues and relationships involved in conflicts.
Interventions may change the balance of power among the conflicting parties.
Context: Ideology, climate, and cultural expectations influence third-party roles and interventions in conflicts.
Individualist ideology emphasizes addressing parties' individual needs.
Organic ideology emphasizes preserving social order and relationships.
Relational ideology emphasizes both self-determination and interpersonal connections.
Third parties' actions affect how individuals and groups see each other in conflict, contributing to or altering established interpersonal harmony or disharmony.
Third parties influence and are influenced by the unfolding dynamics of a conflict.

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Description

Explore key concepts related to mediation and how party involvement influences perceptions of fairness. This quiz delves into the role of neutrality in mediation, the control dynamics between parties, and strategies to incentivize conflict resolution.