Social Ecological Layers: Analytical Levels

More specifically, in utilizing a social eco­logical multilevel theoretical framework, there are four levels of research analytical units: macro-, exo-, meso-, and microlevel analy­sis.

Figure 29.2 Social Ecological Framework of Primary Orientations

The “mesolevel” analysis refers to the immediate units’ influence such as a local neighborhood, a local church group, an extended family unit, and a workplace setting that have some direct or indirect informal impact on the developmental conflict interac­tions. Finally, the “microlevel” analysis refers to both the intrapersonal-level (i.e., individu­ated and sociocultural identity-based issues on the personal level, meanings, attributions, and conflict emotions) and interpersonal­level features (e.g., the ongoing team con­flicts, conflict eyewitnesses, or the actual face-to-face or mediated conflict encounters) plus the actual physical settings in which the individuals live out their daily lives. It also emphasizes the importance of how indi­viduals can act as active agents to construct or reframe meanings and interpretations of a given intercultural conflict communica­tion event.

In addition, the mass media occupies an interesting position in the social ecological model. While the traditional mass media (e.g., BBC news, CNN news) can be located at the exolevel of social institutional level of influence (e.g., in some countries, the govern­ments run and control the media broadcasts, and in other countries, the media may occupy a more informal yet still widespread persua­sion role). Alternatively, the contemporary social media role can also be located at multi­ple levels of analysis (e.g., on the exo-, meso-, and microlevel), depending on how the social media is being used (institutionally, commu­nally, or interpersonally) and in what particu­lar layered relational and spatial situation. These exo contexts often have filtered (as vs. direct) influence on the community-level or individual-level conflict responses and reac­tions. However, with the prevalence of social media usage (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) via both filtered and direct channels on a global scale, researchers using the social ecological framework may need to develop additional theoretical lens to account for the role of social media or new media on conflict com­munication.