e latter strategy clearly s Engaging in Conflict is Puttin Also note how what is included m can be made only by havi h [mediation approaches n a party is hiding int [also Communications are Conta The logic, meaning and underst The Target Domain is what is b

Boundries Separating

 "The latter strategy clearly shifts the mediator out of his or her impartial position, whereas the former keeps the mediator within the power boundaries established by the parties."
"...define the [conceptual] boundaries of the discussion as being..."

Conflicts are Containers

 Engaging in Conflict is Putting Energy into a Container.
"...the amount of emotional energy he or she continues to put into the conflict."
"...some form of energy release."
"...the amount of emotional energy they put into it [the conflict]..."

Containers provide closure

..."they [conflicts] tend to contain an irreducible win-lose element."
"Conflict systems are containers and transmitters of emotional energy."
"Reflexive dialogue is the process I use to harness the resources contained within deep conflict to transform itself..."
"...it is also at the heart of many interpersonal conflicts."

Container

Container

 Also note how what is included may tend to block or supplant other metaphors from the same general domain.

And that entirely different source domains could have been used.

Simple extensions are possible...

Finally, larger-scale schematic metaphors are based on these more generic ones.

Depth Breadth Room

 "Room can be made only by having a substantial number of markedly different ideas..."
"...when such a process... allows room for creativity, it reduces the likelihood of impasse."
"Making Room for Anger and Resistance..."
"...careful examination of the interests, however, indicated room for cooperation."
"...they have little room for bargaining..."
"Where uncertainty exists, there is often room for movement."
"a process orientation must, at some point, make room for a result orientation."

Detecting

Illustration

Mediation is Container

 "...both [mediation approaches] contain a list of things to look for and respond to."
"The opening statement usually contains approximately eleven elements."
"...this continuum contains strategies and techniques that facilitate the parties' negotiation..."
"... [an] effective technique to contain the impact of emotions was used in the 1950s..."
"the quality of "compassionate strength" - contained within the transformative approach..."
"...there is room in mediation practice for many styles..."
"...microfocus on each comment the parties make from the time they enter the mediation room."
"...developing room within which to negotiate."
"...choose to move into a different mediator 'house' with others who also see the mediator as..."

Metaphors From Expert Literature on Mediation

People are Containers

 "...when a party is hiding interests..."
"...The stepmother was extremely angry... and was unable to contain herself in front of the daughter."
"...if we contain our own anxiety and if we do not internalize the tension of others."
"Trying to reach closure prematurely can harden people's resistance to
a solution that they might have been more open to at a later time."

Resolutions are Containers

 [also Communications are Containers]
"Repeated proposals that contain a variety of solutions to satisfy another's interests..."
"These materials contain some guidelines..."
"The offer contained a considerable bonus..."
"...then ask the listening party whether the information contained in the
statement might alter her view..."
"with or without the assistance of the mediator, will ideally be able to identify a mutually acceptable settlement range and make proposals between the boundaries established by their resistance points."
"Another [technique] is to look for agreements about the boundaries within which a distributive decision will be made."
"...conflicts can be resolved, but complete closure is likely to be an elusive goal."
"Trying to reach closure prematurely can harden people's resistance to a solution that they might have been more open to at a later time."

Source Domain

 The logic, meaning and understanding of the Source Domain is made available through metaphor. The Metaphor is "apt" to the degree that it has corresponding elements and relationships. Once this Source Domain is available, transfer occurs back to the Target Domain.

Surface

Target Domain

 The Target Domain is what is being focused on now. What is of concern is within this domain - the situation you face now.


Axon File: c:\axon2005\metares\expertcontainer.xon
Last modified: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 12:56:29 PM