Using the link below, read and discuss this article. What do you think about the conclusion that a mediator should be biased? What is the relationship between bias and credibility?
This article explains that though mediators are considered most effective when biased, the theory of cheap talk disputes this fact. This theory focuses on two parties where a “sender” with certain information communicates with a “receiver” who then suits both parties. In this case, the parties must share some common interests, and therefore, it includes truth-telling in all cases. However, in cases where both parties clash in interests, cheap talk may not apply due to the credibility problem. Thus, a mediator in such cases, a mediator is required. The main aim of mediation is to reduce the level of conflict between disputing parties. As per this article, a mediator must be incited for him/her to be unbiased at the same time. Hence, it is only biased mediators who are effective.
From my point of view, a mediator should not be biased in whatever case. I genuinely think that mediators should be as neutral as they can, as their role is not to make a decision for the parties but to make the conflicting parties see why they should not conflict further. The relationship between bias and credibility is mutually exclusive because, as many research pieces have revealed, whenever a mediator is biased, he/she can’t be credible.