In an ecomap, which of the following indicates a one-way relationship?

• A. The client controls the system.
• B. The relationship is one-way.
• C. The relationship is mutual and balanced.
• D. There is no relationship.

Answer: (B)

In an ecomap, direction matters because arrows on the lines show who exerts influence or resources. A one-way relationship is depicted with a line that has a single arrow pointing in one direction, indicating influence flows from one party to the other only. The statement that the relationship is one-way matches this convention, making it the best descriptor. If arrows pointed in both directions, that would indicate a mutual, two-way relationship; if there’s no line, there’s no relationship; and talking about control isn’t the same as indicating one-way versus two-way influence on an ecomap.