Transcript Does education in social abilities promote well

DEPARTAMENT OF SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY
Armadans, I.; Munne, M.; Serrano, J.; Palacin,
A.; Villanueva, A.; Dimasso, A. & Selva, D.
[email protected]
25th Annual Conference of the International Association for Conflict
Management- July 11-14, 2012 Stellenbosch, South Africa
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INTRODUCTION: Theoretical background
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The framework of the contemporary cultural mutation
The social context of the crisis and mediation
Social Psychology and mediation
The identity of the mediator
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RESEARCH QUESTION AND OBJECTIVES
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METHODOLOGY
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
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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.
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The mediation is a threatened model:
◦ Hurt by spending cuts in public institutions
◦ Directly affected by the mediator’s identity process
◦ Becoming a basic human and psychosocial resource
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The need to redefine mediation
The situation of social conflict suggests
training professionals in peaceful conflict
resolution
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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
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Setting
◦ 1st Conference on Psychology and Mediation
(Faculty of Psychology of the University of
Barcelona, Spain)
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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.
Advantages
“Mediation builds bridges and links between individuals.”
“It generates emotions, allows them to be expressed.”
Relationship between psychology and
“On dealing with emotions the problem is how to systematize
mediation
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.”
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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.
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The lack of social recognition for the mediator
profession
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The principles and values of mediation
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The definition of the mediator profile
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Improvements in how mediators carry out their
work
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Conflict analysis
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Legitimation of all parties involved
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Empowerment of individuals and groups
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Recognition of the other parties
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Transformation of the processes of the
mediator’s identity construction
Questions or comments