Mediator behavior and interest: Effects on mediator and disputant perceptions

Experimental research on mediation has largely ignored the impact that mediator behavior can have on mediator perceptions. In this study, a model of the mediation process is proposed which organizes past research on mediation, as well as highlights the potential importance of behavior in determining mediator perceptions. Two laboratory experiments were conducted. In Study 1, Carnevale's strategic choice model (Negotiation Journal, 2, 41-56, 1986) was used as an implicit theory of mediation to test the influence of mediator behavior and interest on mediator self-perceptions of concern and mediator perceptions of the likelihood of agreement. It was hypothesized that mediators with high interest, feeling greater pressure to justify their actions, should report perceptions of concern and likelihood of agreement that are more consistent with the Carnevale model than would mediators who did not feel such pressures to justify their actions. Subjects served as mediators in a simulated organizational dispute, and chose messages to send to disputants that were previously identified as representing one of the four strategies proposed by Carnevale (1986). In Study 2, subjects served as disputants, and received from their mediator messages representing one of the four strategies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Business Administration

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Conlon, Donald E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Porac, Joseph F.

• Psychology, Social
• Business Administration, Management
• Psychology, Industrial

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1989 Conlon, Donald Edward

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI8924796
(UMI)AAI8924796

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19831