The field of cultural psychology draws from various fields such as sociology, economics, history, philosophy and cognitive and behavioral psychology in an effort to identify and study both culture-specific and universal aspects of human behavior. It examines cultural norms, values, beliefs and practices. The rules and practices of dispute resolution, and the processes of cross-boundary dispute resolution, while perhaps incidentally or tangentially reflecting cross-cultural issues, are not designed or defined with this in mind. The consequences of cultural insensitivity or lack of cultural competency amongst decisionmakers and within and by the institutions that support dispute resolution can have enormous consequences for due process and the legitimacy of outcomes.

Through surveys, analysis of decisions, interviews of administrators, neutrals, advocates and parties engaged in cross-boundary disputes, and cross-disciplinary research, the CPDR Project’s aim is to explore such questions as whether cultural evidence should be considered by decisionmakers, what tools may be used to improve the cultural competency of decisionmakers, and what, if any, is the role and relevance of the political, commercial, economic and social contexts of disputing parties and the chosen or appointed decisionmakers in the processes of dispute resolution.