An eco-map (or ecomap) is a
graphical representation
Graphic communication as the name suggests is communication using graphic elements. These elements include symbols such as glyphs and icons, images such as drawings and photographs, and can include the passive contributions of substrate, colour a ...
that shows all of the
system
A system is a group of interacting or interrelated elements that act according to a set of rules to form a unified whole. A system, surrounded and influenced by its open system (systems theory), environment, is described by its boundaries, str ...
s at play in an individual's life. Eco-maps are used in individual and
family counseling
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
within the social work and
nursing
Nursing is a health care profession that "integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alle ...
profession. They are often a way of portraying
Systems Theory
Systems theory is the Transdisciplinarity, transdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or artificial. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, de ...
in a simplistic way that both the social worker and the client can look at during the session. These ecological maps, or ecomaps, were developed by Hartman in 1975 as a means of depicting the ecological system that encompasses a family or individual.
[
An ecogram is a combination of a ]genogram
A genogram, also known as a family diagram, is a pictorial display of a person's position and ongoing relationships in their family's hereditary hierarchy. It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to visualize social patterns ...
and an ecomap. The terms "ecogram" and "ecomap" are often used interchangeably, however.[Hartman, A. (1995). Diagrammatic assessment of family relationships. Families in Society, 76, 111-122.]
A methodically related way to assess relationships in family therapy
Family therapy (also referred to as family counseling, family systems therapy, marriage and family therapy, couple and family therapy) is a branch of psychotherapy focused on families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and ...
and research are Symbolic Figure Placement Techniques. These theranostic visualization methods (e,g., FAST, KFST) use figures on a board to represent cohesion and hierarchy in various settings.[ Gehring, T. M. & Marti, D. (1993). The architecture of family structures: Toward a spatial concept for measuring cohesion and hierarchy. Family Process, 32, 135-139.]
Symbols
At the center of the eco-map is the client (this can either be a family or individual). They are depicted in the center of the circle. Family connections are shown. There are also connections from all of the relevant systems that are at play in the clients life. These systems are connected to either individuals or the entire circle by line:
* Arrows pointing both direction depicts a two direction flow of influence
* Arrows pointing to the client mean that the system primarily influences the client
* Arrows pointing to the system mean that the client primarily influences the system
* Curvy or red lines mean that the system is a stressful relationship
* Thicker (darker) lines mean stronger relationship
Other uses
In the context of ecology, ''ecogram'' can also refer to a kind of Venn diagram
A Venn diagram is a widely used diagram style that shows the logical relation between set (mathematics), sets, popularized by John Venn (1834–1923) in the 1880s. The diagrams are used to teach elementary set theory, and to illustrate simple ...
used to depict the niches a plant may live in, depending on the environmental conditions, especially used in forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and Natural environment, environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and ...
. See e.g. :de:Ökogramm.
See also
* Culturagram
A culturagram is a family assessment tool used in the practice of social work which was first introduced by Fordham University professor, Dr. Elaine Congress.
Rationale
In social work and other fields, cultural competence is an important skill. ...
* Family Therapy
Family therapy (also referred to as family counseling, family systems therapy, marriage and family therapy, couple and family therapy) is a branch of psychotherapy focused on families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and ...
* Power mapping Power mapping is a visual tool used by social advocates to identify the best individuals to target to promote social change. The role of relationships and networks is very important when advocates seek change in a social justice issue. The power m ...
* Systems Theory
Systems theory is the Transdisciplinarity, transdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or artificial. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, de ...
References
{{reflist
External links
Genogram & Eco-map
assignment for SOWK 460, an example of an eco-map done in MS Word
Psychological tests and scales