Read my latest summary article on Stress and Mediation published in Just Resolutions Newsletter, November 2018: Using Neuroscience to Understand Stress and Improve Mediation
Mediation Myth Busters
The Myth of the Triune Brain
The brain is often described as divided into three parts: the “reptilian brain” that controls instincts, the “limbic system” that controls emotions, and the neocortex that controls rational thought. The classic view is that rational thought of the neocortex controls the “lower” reptilian and emotional brains. Currently neuroscientists think of the brain as a [Read more..]
How to Handle Strong Emotions
Mediators face strong emotions all the time. We can view these emotions as the most challenging part of the job or see them as a window into the conflict. Neuroscience can help us cope with the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. We have discussed the inherent problems in venting during mediation in a prior [Read more..]
Countering Implicit Bias
In our last post we looked at the definition of implicit bias and why it is present. Now we will look at ways to counter implicit bias. Reducing Implicit Bias One scientific study reduced implicit bias over a period of at least two months (PG Devine, et al., “Long-term reduction in implicit race bias: A [Read more..]
Understanding Implicit Bias
We recently presented a program at the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Spring Conference on the Neuroscience of Implicit Bias. The presentation included a brief overview about implicit bias, a discussion of how and why implicit bias exists, how it can impact mediation and the neuroscience of implicit bias. We concluded with ideas to [Read more..]
Early Caucus: Dealing with Stress in Mediation
Traditional facilitative mediation has long been structured as: 1) Joint session, 2) Caucus, 3) Joint session (with additional rounds as necessary). This structure is often found in community mediation settings and was once common in commercial mediation. In recent years, commercial mediation often skips the opening joint session and frequently is conducted entirely in caucus. This change [Read more..]
The Venting Myth
Mediation training has long viewed venting anger as a useful tool for restoring a positive psychological state. This practice has been handed down as received wisdom through several generations of mediation trainers, practitioners, and theorists. Beware, this venting myth can be dangerous Venting negative emotions triggers the physiologic stress response by increasing the level of the [Read more..]
Hear the Mediation Myth Busters Live
Jill and Martha, the Mediation Myth Busters, are presenting at the ABA Dispute Resolution Spring Conference in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 5, 2018, 10:00 – 11:00 am. Our topic is: Staying Neutral in a Biased World: The Neuroscience of Implicit Bias. Humans are not hard wired toward a particular bias but as a [Read more..]
Traditional Mediation Tools Explained by Neuroscience
Mediators have many tools for facilitating an effective mediation. Neuroscience shows how our actions are influenced by stress hormones released when we perceive threats. Understanding the physiological stress response and its triggers helps us see why these traditional tools are effective. 1. Building Trust and Rapport: The stress response is triggered when threats outweigh [Read more..]
Ten Best Practices for Mediators Derived from Neuroscience: Sex and Culture Differences (#9-10)
Biologic differences between men and women result in different reactions to conflict. Normally, men outperform women in seeing a situation from another perspective, but under stress, women outperform men. Culture also influences behavior during conflict. 9. Consider the effects of testosterone levels. Men are subject to daily cycles of testosterone, highest in [Read more..]