Theoretical Comparison Two: Ecological Systems Theory and Social Exchange Theory

Understanding the disparities of individuals effected in today’s society has a high priority focus in social work education. However, without understanding how society reacts or adjust to their environment and relationships, a clinician cannot provide the appropriate assistance to clients.

In the Ecological Systems Theory, an assessment of the individual will include a review of the individual specifically and internally, awareness of the groups the individual interacts with, and review of the environment. Individual assessment in social work involves a bio psycho-social-spiritual approach to identity and behavior.  Bronfenbrenner’s The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design (1979) summarized decades of theory and research about the fundamentals processes that guide life-span development. Unlike most other recent statements of theory Bronfenbrenner’s book did not focus on a specific domain such as social relations or cognition or biological development. Instead, Bronfenbrenner focused on a scientific approach emphasizing the interrelationship of different processes and their contextual variation. Although Bronfenbrenner used this text to develop 50 specific hypotheses concerning developmental processes from infancy through adulthood, these hypotheses have only rarely been tested. Rather, the importance of Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) The Ecology of Human Development and his importance in the field of developmental science are usually summarized in one of two related ways. First, Bronfenbrenner is often credited with bringing attention to contextual variation in human development and helping to move developmental psychology from “the science of the strange behavior of children in strange situations with strange adults for the briefest possible periods of time” (1977, p. 513) to more “ecologically valid” studies of developing individuals in their natural environment. Second, just as Piaget’s rich work is often represented in introductory textbooks by a brief table summarizing his stage theory, Bronfenbrenner’s work is often summarized with a diagram of “ecological theory.”

Social exchange theory is an evolving conceptual framework that can be utilized to explain individual development within the family context. Exchange theory is based on the principle that we enter into relationships in which we can maximize the benefits to us and minimize our costs. Equity theory, a variation of exchange theory, holds that exchanges between people have to be fair and balanced so that they mutually give and receive what is needed. Utilitarian economists made certain assumptions which were applied to exchange theory. They believed:  humans are rational and will seek to maximize their gain. They viewed humans as having access to all the information they needed to make these rational decisions. If a profit cannot be made they will forego that area of investment. Last, a long-term reciprocity is necessary for both participants to make a profit, otherwise one will exploit the other. Behavioral psychology contributed to the following assumptions: an individual will elicit behaviors that will produce the greatest reward and the least punishment. An individual will repeat behaviors that were rewarding in the past, and will keep repeating the behavior as long as it is rewarding. However, the reward will lose its value the more the individual receives the reward.

Cultural anthropology made significant contributions to exchange theory. Sir James Frazer in 1919 made certain assumptions about exchange processes: Exchange processes derive from individuals trying to satisfy basic needs. As these processes consistently produce payoffs, patterns of social interactions are developed. These patterns contribute to the development of social structures and lead to power differentiation in social groups. As clinicians, we must be knowledgeable on how society effects the environment as well as how environment effects society.

http://www.csun.edu/~whw2380/542/Social%20Exchange%20Theory.htm

Source book of Family Theories and Methods. 1993, pp 385-417

Ashford, J. B. (2013). Human Behavior in the Social Environment A Multidimensional Perspective. Belmont: Cengage Learning.