The Emotionology Of Arbitration And Mediation

I coined the term “emotionology,” which is a combination of “emotion” and “psychology.” It describes an applied science that examines how human emotions influence and become part of decision-making and negotiation processes in arbitration and mediation. In these settings, participants are emotional and spiritual beings; the success of the process relies as much on legal frameworks as it does on understanding and managing emotions, relationships and interests. 

Emotion and Psychology in Dispute Resolution

Emotions are essential psychophysiological reactions that influence how people handle conflict. In arbitration and mediation, emotions can affect openness to dialogue and the chances of reaching effective agreements. Psychological science shows that the ability to identify, understand and manage emotions improves decision-making, resilience and overall satisfaction with the process.