JIBC Conflict Resolution and Mediation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stage of conflict escalation involves parties beginning to form coalitions and seek outside support?
- Hardening
- Debate and polemics
- Actions not words
- Coalition formation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Coalition formation
Coalition formation is an advanced escalation stage where parties recruit allies and seek external support to strengthen their position.
Question 2: A mediator who helps parties clarify their values and relationships rather than just settle disputes is using which model?
- Evaluative model
- Settlement-driven model
- Transformative model (Correct answer)
- Positional model
Correct answer: Transformative model
The transformative model focuses on empowering parties and improving their relationship, not just reaching a settlement.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a 'position' rather than an 'interest' in a workplace dispute?
- Feeling undervalued by management
- Wanting a corner office (Correct answer)
- Needing recognition for contributions
- Desiring job security
Correct answer: Wanting a corner office
Wanting a corner office is a stated position; the underlying interests might be status, privacy, or recognition.
Question 4: When a mediator uses 'reality testing,' they are:
- Verifying the factual accuracy of claims
- Helping a party examine the consequences of their choices (Correct answer)
- Testing whether an agreement is legally enforceable
- Assessing whether a party is being truthful
Correct answer: Helping a party examine the consequences of their choices
Reality testing prompts a party to consider the practical implications and risks of their current stance or proposed outcome.
Question 5: Under JIBC principles, when should a mediator consider terminating a mediation?
- When parties disagree on key issues
- When there is evidence of power imbalance that cannot be managed (Correct answer)
- When one party requests a break
- When negotiations take longer than expected
Correct answer: When there is evidence of power imbalance that cannot be managed
Mediators should terminate when a severe power imbalance threatens the integrity of the process or a party's safety.
Question 6: Which active listening skill involves reflecting the emotional content of what a speaker has expressed?
- Probing
- Empathic acknowledgment (Correct answer)
- Open questioning
- Reframing
Correct answer: Empathic acknowledgment
Empathic acknowledgment names and validates the emotions a speaker has expressed, fostering trust and openness.
Question 7: In cross-cultural conflict resolution, a mediator should primarily:
- Apply uniform Western mediation standards
- Ignore cultural factors to maintain neutrality
- Adapt their approach to respect cultural norms and communication styles (Correct answer)
- Appoint a cultural liaison to replace the mediator
Correct answer: Adapt their approach to respect cultural norms and communication styles
Effective cross-cultural mediation requires adapting processes to respect varying cultural norms around communication, hierarchy, and conflict.
JIBC Conflict Resolution and Mediation 3
Which stage of conflict escalation involves parties beginning to form coalitions and seek outside support?