Modelling stress recognition in conflict resolution scenarios

Abstract

The current trend in Online Dispute Resolution focuses mostly on the development of technological tools that allow parties to solve conflicts through telecommunication means. However, this tendency leaves aside key issues, namely the context information that was previously available in traditional Alternative Dispute Resolution processes. The main weakness of this approach is that conflict resolution may become focused solely on objective issues. In order to overcome this inconvenience, we move forward to incorporate context and behavioural information in an Online Dispute Resolution platform. In particular, we consider the estimation of the level of stress and the prediction of the stress state evolution. As a result, the conflict resolution platform or the mediator may predict to what extent a party is affected by a particular matter, allowing one to adapt the conflict resolution strategy to a specific scenario in real time.