Category Archives: Pyschological Research and negotiations

Logic Dictates the Wrong Answer

Posted on September 5, 2012 by stevemehta

Recently I was told by a person trying to convince me that an illogical but emotional appeal will have no effect upon a jury because logic has a way of overcoming emotional decisions.  I wondered if that really could be true since I have always believed that persuasion involves one part logic and two parts emotion.  [...] Continue reading →

Posted in appeal, argument, fast, illogic, illogical, kahneman, logic, Mediation, Pyschological Research and negotiations, reason, reasoning, slow, thinking | Comments Off

The Imbibing Idiot

Posted on August 1, 2012 by stevemehta

Most people in mediation don’t fully realize that many — if not all– of the issues that are in question — liability, damages, cause, effect, consequences, good faith, ability to perform, etc..are affected by the perception that is created throughout the litigation and mediation.  The reality is that perception is reality, not the other way [...] Continue reading →

Posted in alcohol, drunk, effect, idiot, imbibing, Mediation, perception, power, Pyschological Research and negotiations, reality, research, rick, scott, study | Comments Off

Taming the Beast

Posted on July 27, 2012 by stevemehta

How do you tame the angry beast that has walked through your door?  Many people are afraid to deal with the angry person. Others want to fight fire with fire.  In reality, there are some sound methods for taming the angry beast that don’t require you to fight or to flight. According to Dr. Nadia [...] Continue reading →

Posted in anger, angry, beast, coping, Mediation, person, Pyschological Research and negotiations, resolving, solving, strategies, taming | 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

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

Writing as a Tool To Heal and Gain Control In Mediation

Posted on July 5, 2011 by stevemehta

By Steven G. Mehta In many mediations, I am ofton confronted with the question of client control.  Does the other lawyer have “client control,” I am often asked.  Many times, the lawyer tells me that he or she has no client control.  Indeed, in a mediation last week, I experienced a case where the lawyer [...] Continue reading →

Posted in client, control, distress, emotional, heal, Mediation, power, Pyschological Research and negotiations, wounds, writing | Comments Off

What Do the End of the Worlders, Austin Powers and Mediation Have to Do With Each Other?

Posted on June 28, 2011 by stevemehta

Recently, I was at a soccer tournament recently and a goal keeper saved a goal. At the same time, one of the parents jokingly stated that the Goalkeeper had saved the world. How, I asked. The parent then reminded me that a religious organization had recently professed that the world was going to end on that exact date and time. At that same time, the Goal keeper had saved the goal, and as a result saved the soccer team from total destruction. The next day, the religious organization claimed that they had miscalculated and that the new date was really the end of the world. That world saving goal keeper got me thinking about why people are convinced about their positions and why they don’t change their mind even in the face of overwhelming evidence. That process brought me to the the concept of the Backfire Effect. Continue reading →

Posted in austin, backfire, belief, Brendan, conviction, convinced, David McRaney, effect, influence, jason, Mediation, Nyhan, persuade, persuasion, powers, Pyschological Research and negotiations, Reifler, research, study | Comments Off