MEDIATION TECHNIQUE: THE AGREEMENT BRIDGE Karin Hillman & Sarah Keene

WHAT IS MEDIATION? A process during which two parties attempt to resolve a conflict with the assistance of a third party Fundamental human activity (ex: parents mediating between children’s disagreements) Over the past 2 decades, formal mediation has become more prevalent Research shows that mediation is effective in resolving many types of social and interpersonal conflict Benefits include: reducing tension, clarifying disputes, and humanizing the adversary Important qualities of an effective mediator include: establish rapport with both parties, gather information through questioning, listen empathetically to both points of view, suspend judgment, and foster norms of collaboration

TYPES OF MEDIATION: Divorce mediation Peer mediation in the schools Community mediation Judicial mediation Mediation of disputes within organizations Mediation for international conflicts Deutsch, M. (2000)

MEDIATION PROCESS: The general process for mediation is: Relationship - developing rapport and outlining structure for session (Hello) Story and Strengths – define the problem (Problem & Swap) Goals – draw out each person’s wants/desires for problem resolution (Foolish & Smart) Restory – begin negotiation for solutions (Change) Action – make a contract (Agreement Contract) Ivey, Ivey, and Zalaquett (2010), p. 252

THE AGREEMENT BRIDGE: THE BASICS A game that utilizes the mediation process to resolve conflict in schools: teacher vs student, student vs student Depending on the severity of the conflict, the game can typically be played in approx minutes, but can be altered for longer mediation The goal is to bring about a solution (agreement) between the disputing parties The game can be adapted to allow for peer mentoring

THE AGREEMENT BRIDGE: HOW TO PLAY Teacher vs. Student Conflict The goal of the game is for the two players to participate in a structured discussion that eventually arrives at a mutually satisfactory agreement resolving the problem Teacher and Student sit on opposite sides of the table with the game board and a ruler between them Each place his/her marker on the end of the ruler closest to him/her Game Squares: Hello, Problem, Swap, Smart Choices, Foolish Choices, Change Each take turns selecting a square (doesn’t matter what order) and discussing. When one person feels that he/she has become closer to the other, he/she moves his/her marker on the ruler closer to the other. When the markers meet, the game is over and the Agreement Contract is signed

THE AGREEMENT BRIDGE: HOW TO PLAY Student Vs. Student Conflict (A peer mentor can substitute a counselor if properly trained) The same rules apply as the teacher vs. student unless there is a peer mentor. The counselor would sit in the middle of the table and act as the referee If there is a peer mentor, the disputing students should sit on the same side of the table and the peer mentor should sit opposite of them Biffle, C. (2009)

REFERENCES: Deutsch, M. (2000). Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice. Jossey-Bass. Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2010). Intentional interviewing & counseling. (7 ed., p. 252). Belmont,CA: Brooks/Cole. Biffle, C. (2009). Power teaching's the agreement bridge. Brain-Teching/Levels/Level-6-The-Agreement- Bridge.html