The application of the four basic principles of social ecology as a framework for assessing inner city black communities is the focus of this paper. Social ecology is described as a concept that includes variables from both the social and physical environments. Its four basic principles are said to be recognition of the interdependence of roles and settings in influencing our behavior, recognition of individual resources as well as deficits, the use of participant observation, and the proposition that cultural diversity must be understood in order to assess persons, settings, and the interaction between the two. Based on these principles, four techniques are outlined: (1) an informal tour of the target community; (2) epidemiological assessment, which includes assessing data compiled by both public and private institutions; (3) participant observation; and (4) the use of key informants. A step-by-step approach to assessing inner city black communities is then outlined. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the social ecology approach for social service providers, social science researchers, and social and policy planners working in or with such communities. (CMG)