The power of context in relation to conflict presents a very solid argument for the work necessary of mediators towards creating an environmentally friendly space for disputing parties engaged in mediation. Much like the study regarding broken windows showed us how little details can make an impact on crime epidemics, a comfortable and calming space can equally contribute greatly to bring two conflicting parties together in a constructive dialogue.

Divorce mediation is a context in which I mediate commonly. There are so many times in intake or at the beginning of the mediation when I hear how the other party is completely impossible to speak with, all they do is yell and argue, or shut down completely when engaged in discussions. These destructive conversations seem to often take place when transitioning the children, or instigated by one party in places where power dynamics are unbalanced.

As I read through The Power of Context (part 1), I couldn’t help but think how related the studies were to our field in terms of providing this space for constructive dialogue. I often hear post mediation, when agreements are made how powerful it was for the party to experience this shift in dialogue with the other person. Often agreements are made amongst the parties to be conscious about the timing and place of discussions when important decisions need to be made. This usually calls for guidelines to exit conversations where the environment is not appropriate and to reconvene at an agreed upon time, place and using an appropriate modality.