In this example, a third party (the labor relations specialist) helps resolve a disagreement between disputing parties (workers and management) beyond the formal system of the court, so this is a good analogy for the relationship between a mediator and disputing family members.

The role of the mediator is to facilitate negotiations between disputing parties. This example of making a decision based on a majority vote is not analogous to the relationship between a mediator and disputing family members.

The role of the mediator is to have a third party who facilitates negotiations; a director personally asking staff for feedback is not analogous to the relationship between a mediator and disputing family members.

The role of the mediator is to help disputing family members come to an agreement. Additionally, mediation does not provide a formal record. For these reasons, the example in (D) is not analogous to the relationship between the mediator and disputing family members.

The role of the mediator is to have a third party to facilitate negotiations between disputing parties; in (E) the judge meets the lawyers after the decision has already been made.