The identity of the Mediator in Crisis: an Analysis from a Psychosocial Perspective

1. DEPARTAMENT OF SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY The identity of the Mediator in Crisis: an Analysis from a Psychosocial Perspective Armadans, I.; Munne, M.; Serrano, J.; Palacin, A.; Villanueva, A.; Dimasso, A. & Selva, D. iarmadans@ub.edu 25th Annual Conference of the International Association for Conflict Management- July 11-14, 2012 Stellenbosch, South Africa

2. Structure • INTRODUCTION: Theoreticalbackground • The framework of the contemporary cultural mutation • The social context of the crisis and mediation • Social Psychology and mediation • The identity of the mediator • RESEARCH QUESTION AND OBJECTIVES • METHODOLOGY • RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3. Theframework of thecontemporary cultural mutation • Cultural models are related to the society principle of meaning, which is the basis for legitimate behaviours. • Contemporary society s changing this principle of meaning, from industrial and rationalist to post-industrial and subjectivist.

4. The social context of the crisis and mediation • Themediationis a threatenedmodel: • Hurt by spending cuts in public institutions • Directly affected by the mediator’s identity process • Becoming a basic human and psychosocial resource • Theneedto redefine mediation • Thesituation of social conflictsuggests training professionals in peacefulconflictresolution

5. Social Psychology and mediation • Social behaviorisinevitablyaffectedbytherules and values of theenvironment and thecultural influences. • Mediationis a veryspecial and complexsituation of social interaction. • The mediator in theirsupporting role as a thirdpartyplaysanimportant role in conflictmanagement.

6. Theidentity of the mediator • Themediator’sidentityisstill in progress. • The construction of social identity depends on the relation with the professional group (Tajfel) and on the negotiation of the tensions within each professional (Bajoit). • Values and principles of mediation and social and professionalidentity.

7. Twoways of understandingthemediator’sidentity • The result of social comparisons with other professionals working in conflict management. (Tafjel & Turner, 1999) • The desire to be a mediator (DI), and what the mediators believe is their assigned identity (AI), produce their real or engaged identity. (Bajoit, 2003)

8. Researchquestion and objectives • The identity of the mediator in crisis Reflection on the mediator’s professional identity Tocontributetosuccessfulmediation in thecurrentcontext of crisis, social change and cultural mutation Analysisfrom a psychosocialperspective

9. MethodologyQualitative and exploratorystudy • Setting • 1st Conference on Psychology and Mediation (Faculty of Psychology of the University of Barcelona, Spain) • Procedures and aim: • Five focus groups with professional mediatiors from different contexts (applied, teaching, research) • Reflection on the contributions of social psychology to mediation and the mediator’s identity in the crisis and the future.

10. Results

11. Discussion and conclusions (1) • The mediator’s identity will survive beyond the crisis. • The process of building up the knowledge and identity of the mediator originates mainly in the practice and activity of mediation. • The contribution of social psychology is key for the understanding of the multidisciplinary aspects of mediation.

12. Discussion and conclusions (2) • The lack of social recognition for the mediator profession • The principles and values of mediation • The definition of the mediator profile • Improvements in how mediators carry out their work

13. Keystrategies of mediation in thefuture • Conflict analysis • Legitimation of all parties involved • Empowerment of individuals and groups • Recognition of the other parties • Transformation of the processes of the mediator’s identity construction

14. THANK YOU Questions or comments