Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

I. INTRODUCTION

Although this paper does not analyze which superhero has the powers best suited towards becoming a mediator, it does review the impact of gender differences on mediators. Instead of focusing on why personality traits associated with gender occur in society, i.e. as a result of biological differences or through societal pressures, this paper focuses on determining traits associated with gender and if those characteristics provide a competitive advantage to one gender in becoming an effective mediator. Particularly, this paper argues that female characteristics provide women with a competitive advantage as mediators.

While individual characteristics can assist an individual in becoming an effective mediator, this paper does not stand for the proposition that specific characteristics alone create good mediators. The first portion of the paper focuses on the different styles mediators utilize and discusses which style is the most effective. The second portion of the paper analyzes different characteristics associated with women or men and evaluates which traits will most effectively assist an individual in becoming an effective mediator.