Armadans, I.; Munne, M.; Serrano, J.; Palacin, A.; Villanueva, A.; Dimasso, A. & Selva, D. DEPARTAMENT OF SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY 25th Annual Conference of the International Association for Conflict Management- July 11-14, 2012 Stellenbosch, South Africa

 INTRODUCTION: Theoretical background ◦ 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

 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.

 The mediation is a threatened model: ◦ Hurt by spending cuts in public institutions ◦ Directly affected by the m ediator’s identity process ◦ Becoming a basic human and psychosocial resource  The need to redefine mediation  The situation of social conflict suggests training professionals in peaceful conflict resolution

 Social behavior is inevitably affected by the rules and values of the environment and the cultural influences.  Mediation is a very special and complex situation of social interaction.  The mediator in their supporting role as a third party plays an important role in conflict management.

 The mediator’s identity is still 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 professional identity.

1. The result of social comparisons with other professionals working in conflict management. (Tafjel & Turner, 1999) 2. 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)

 The identity of the mediator in crisis Reflection on the mediator’s professional identity Analysis from a psychosocial perspective To contribute to successful mediation in the current context of crisis, social change and cultural mutation

 Setting ◦ 1 st 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.

From social psychology to mediation. “Mediation builds bridges and links between individuals.” Advantages “It generates emotions, allows them to be expressed.” Relationship between psychology and mediation “On dealing with emotions the problem is how to systematize them in order to work with testable hypotheses.” “How can research be used to explore transformative mediation if this model works a lot with emotions?” “Confusing two people in conflict with two sick people”. Mediator: characteristics. “Unpretentiousness, because the parties provide the solution.” The challenges of the mediator. “To speak the same language as one’s colleagues.” The difficulties of the mediator “We must not lose sight of the scope of mediation.” Reformulation of concepts. “Don’t focus on the conflict but on interaction between the parties (…) because very often, if you focus on the problem you can’t see the alternatives.” Proposals for improvement.“Educate to change people’s attitudes to conflict, so that they themselves (the people) are the mediators.”

 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.

 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

 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

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