Mediators and metaphors: An analysis of conflict resolution metaphors

This article is a condensed and revised version of the authors' full length, scholarly publication in the Journal of Conflict Management September, 2013 edition. It is based on Stage One of a two-stage study of 85 Florida family court mediators (Storrow & Georgakopoulos, 2013). Metaphors are snapshots of the mental processes the authors use to frame conflict, such as a journey or the peeling of layers from an onion. The statewide questionnaire of Florida mediators resulted in predominantly negative metaphors for conflict and mediation parties, and positive metaphors for mediation and mediators. The authors have examined these metaphors using relevant theories. Meta-metaphors emerged and findings were presented as major categories and subcategories revealing patterns regarding conflict, mediators, mediation, people in conflict, divorce, anger, and forgiveness. An expanded analysis is included in this article.