Boland, M., & Ross, W. H. (2010).  Emotional Intelligence and dispute mediation in

  escalating and de-escalating situations. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, in press.

Abstract

A scenario-based laboratory experiment investigated how Emotional Intelligence (EI) influenced informal mediation.  A 2 x 2 factorial design varied subject’s EI level (high vs. low) and whether disputant hostility was escalating or de-escalating.  Dependent variables included mediation goals and tactics. Results indicated that high EI mediators were more likely than low EI mediators to pursue the goal of achieving an overall mutually-satisfactory agreement.  High EI mediators were more likely than low EI mediators to report a willingness to use a larger number of mediation tactics to promote a compromise.  By contrast, low EI mediators were more likely to endorse using “pressing,” “compensating,” and “inaction” techniques. Results suggest that individual differences in EI should be considered in future mediation research.

Abstract copyright (c) 2009-2010, Blackwell Publishing

Journal Cover Image copyright (c) 2009 Blackwell Publishing