Abstract: A computer-based method and apparatus for interactive computer-assisted negotiations assists multiple parties involved in complex multiple issue negotiations in reaching an agreement that optimizes both the individual and overall benefit to the parties. Each of the parties to a conflict or dispute to be negotiated enters their preferences concerning each issue of the conflict into a computer system. If desired, each party to the dispute can have a separate computer system so that each party's preference information remains confidential to that party. The preference information includes data on satisfaction functions for each of the issues which defines a party's relative level of satisfaction as a function of a numerical value for the outcome of that issue. Each party may also enter one or more proposed alternative agreements which provide the party with a specified level of satisfaction.