Evidence of a Peace Virus?

In 2004, Tim Hedeen posed the following questions:

Does the “peace virus” hypothesis— the proposition that constructive, nonviolent behavior by some will lead to the same behavior by those with whom they interact—hold any weight with regard to community mediators?

…what are the effects of individuals’ assuming the role of “small ‘m’ mediator,” providing mediation services flexibly and informally to friends, colleagues, or others to whom the mediator is known?