Author Archives: stevemehta

The Backfire Effect

Posted on March 15, 2012 by stevemehta

http://youtu.be/6kBKoie8JuM

Recently, I have been looking into the concept of the backfire effect. That effect plainly states that when people are entrenched in their view, the more information that you provide them to combat their belief, the more they believe in their position.

Here is a video explaining the concept.

Continue reading →

Posted in backfire, effect, Mediation, negotiation, strategy, tactic | Comments Off

The Backfire Effect

Posted on March 15, 2012 by stevemehta

http://youtu.be/6kBKoie8JuM

Recently, I have been looking into the concept of the backfire effect. That effect plainly states that when people are entrenched in their view, the more information that you provide them to combat their belief, the more they believe in their position.

Here is a video explaining the concept.

Continue reading →

Posted in negotiation | Comments Off

Miracle on Mediation Street

Posted on December 22, 2011 by stevemehta

Hopefully everyone has seen the holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street.  I thought a quote from the movie might be interesting to consider as it relates to mediation.   Kris Kringle: Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind… and that’s what’s been changing. That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I [...] Continue reading →

Posted in 34th, information, Mediation, miracle, process, resolution, street, tool | Comments Off

Your Blood Pressure May Kill Your Deal

Posted on December 15, 2011 by stevemehta

Let’s face it.  During some negotiations, you may get angry at the other sideyou’re your blood pressure may go up.  The problem with that blood pressure is that it is not only bad for your heart, but it is also bad for your ability to negotiate effectively.  According to a Clemson University researcher, your ability [...] Continue reading →

Posted in anger, blood pressure, clemson, dampening, emotion, James A. McCubbin, Mediation, negotiation, Pyschological Research and negotiations | Comments Off

Are You a Nibbler? Pay Close Attention if you Are.

Posted on December 13, 2011 by stevemehta

Are You a Nibbler? Now I am not referring to your eating habits.  Instead, I am wondering about your negotiation tactics.  A nibble is when at the end of the deal, you ask for a little something more.  This little something generally doesn’t have huge value in relation to the entire deal.  For example, in [...] Continue reading →

Posted in Mediation, negotiation, nibble, suggestion, tactic, technique, warning | Comments Off

Let’s Make A Deal With Bubble Gum

Posted on December 9, 2011 by stevemehta

  Want to become smarter, even if only for a little bit.  Well, I have the answer for you.  Chew some gum. Recently a study found that people who chew gum before testing on a subject increased their cognitive function.  The study showed that the increase in brain power, however, lasted only for 15 minutes. [...] Continue reading →

Posted in benefit, bubble, creative, gum, increase, Mediation, negotiation, Pyschological Research and negotiations, research, study, thinking | Comments Off

Atheists, Trustworthy or Not?

Posted on December 1, 2011 by stevemehta

  In litigation, one of the biggest unstated principles is whether the plaintiff or defendant is trustworthy.  In other words, are they credible.  Well a new study revealed some interesting news about whether religion affects the trustworthiness of a person. According to a new study conducted at the University of British Columbia, distrust is key [...] Continue reading →

Posted in atheist, credibility, distrust, litigation, Mediation, religious, trust, trusthworthy | Comments Off

10 Thanksgiving Survival Tips From A Mediator

Posted on November 22, 2011 by stevemehta

By Steven G. Mehta I want to wish everyone a Happy And Blessed Thanksgiving.   However, not all Thanksgiving Experiences are happy and blessed.  For those of you who may be worried about having the less than perfect thanksgiving, I thought I would give you some Mediation Thanksgiving Tips to Help you with that Challenging Family [...] Continue reading →

Posted in argument, dysfunctional, family, holiday, Mediation, social science, solutions, suggestion, thanksgiving, tips | Comments Off

Major Mistakes In Mediation Briefs

Posted on November 22, 2011 by stevemehta

By Steven G. Mehta It is never ceases to fascinate me that there are so many styles of providing mediation briefs.  Recently, I   received a brief that screamed “I don’t want to do this case.” As a result, I thought I might give some of the biggest mistakes in mediation briefs.   Don’t Know Your [...] Continue reading →

Posted in brief, effective, good, Mediation, mistake, mistakes, persuasive, suggestion, suggestions, tips | Comments Off

What Grade is Your Settlement?

Posted on November 16, 2011 by stevemehta

By Steven G. Mehta Many times when parties to mediation talk about the settlement value of a case, they talk about one number.  The case should settle for $100,000, or $50,000, or whatever number is at issue.  However, all too often that single number is a flawed method of helping you to figure out the [...] Continue reading →

Posted in a, amount, b, c, calculate, d, f, grades, identify, Mediation, negotiate, negotiation, preparation, range, settlement, value, values | Comments Off