Human Behavior Theory And Social Work Practice Second Edition

This new edition of Human Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice provides a broadly synthetic approach to selecting theoretical concepts crucial to one's activities in casework. Centered on the notion of the client as an individual, Roberta Greene and the contributing authors examine the biological, psychological, and social aspects of development, and evaluate their utility for social work practice.Social work is characterized by a dynamic helping process and a diversity of roles, and functions. The aims of social work--to improve societal conditions for individuals, families, and groups--are put into action across all fields of practice and realized through a variety of methods in a range of settings. To work in the field, it is important to acquire conceptual frameworks that help one understand the complexities of contemporary practice. This volume is concerned with the application of knowledge about behavior in the social environment that serves as the theoretical underpinning for direct practice in social work. The chapters explore the ways in which specific theories have contributed to understanding the person in the environment construct and examine the idea that all clinical social work intervention is anchored in reshaping the context of the person in the environment configuration.The book explores the challenges and limitations of the various theories in use and addresses many relevant questions: What does the theory offer for understanding development across the lifecycle? What does each theory suggest about the interaction among biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors of human development and functioning? What does the theory suggest about healthy/functional and unhealthy/dysfunctional behaviors or wellness? Is theory universal in its application, and may it lend itself to cross-cultural social work practice? What role does theory propose for the social worker as an agent of change? Human Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice is an original contribution to social work theory, and will be mandatory reading for anyone pursuing a career in the field.

Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice provides an in-depth examination of human behavior theories and helps students apply each theory to social work practice. Authors Terry Koenig, Rick Spano, and John Thompson cover a broad spectrum of theories—including ecological, psychological, and sociopolitical—before applying them to a wide range of case examples that represent different stages across the human lifespan. Drawing from their extensive knowledge and experience in social work practice and teaching, the authors also feature scholarly research and writing to support the understanding of the theoretical overview in each chapter.

Human Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice remains a foundation work for those interested in the practice and teaching of social work. Roberta Greene covers theoretical areas and individual theorists including classical psychoanalytic thought, Eriksonian theory, Carl Rogers, cognitive theory, systems theory, ecological perspectives, social construction, feminism, and genetics. She discusses the historical context, its philosophical roots, and major assumptions of each theory. The general theme, which distinguishes this volume, is that the person-in-environment perspective has been a central influence in the formation of the profession's knowledge base, as well as its approach to practice. Greene provides perspective on how individuals and social systems interact. This book examines how social workers can use theory to shape social work practice by increasing his or her understanding of and potential for enhancing human well-being. Greene covers the relationship between human behavior theory and professional social work practice. She also explores the challenges and limitations of each theory and addresses the following issues: how the theory serves as a framework for social work practice; how the theory lends itself to an understanding of individual, family, group, community, or organizational behavior; what the implications are of the theory for social work interventions or practice strategies; and what role it proposes for the social worker as a change agent. Throughout the profession's history, social workers have turned to a number of theoretical approaches for the organizing concepts needed to define their practice base. The aims of social work--to improve societal conditions and to enhance social functioning of and between individuals, families, and groups--are put into action across all fields of practice and realized through a variety of methods in a range of settings. This third edition, completely revised, represents a fundamental contribution to the field, and like its predecessors, will be widely used as a basic text.

"The primary goal of this text is to support social work students in HBSE 1 courses to develop a conceptual framework for understanding and meeting the challenges they will likely encounter in 21st century practice. Through contemporary scholarship in human development, ecology, and systems theory, we build on social work's classic bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework. Our interdisciplinary, developmental, ecological-systems framework addresses the ways in which human beings shape, and are shaped within, complex and dynamic national and international contexts across the lifespan. We attempt to establish a bridge between undergraduate courses in the social, behavioral and biological sciences; and social work practice courses. We begin by establishing a framework for understanding human behavior in the social environment through chapters providing an historical overview of the interdisciplinary roots of the developmental-ecological systems framework, the brain and development, and the role of empirical evidence on social work practice. Then we examine social work issues at various points in human development using specific programs and policies to illustrate developmentally - and culturally- sensitive social work practice. These chapters include excerpts from interviews with practicing social workers. Part 3 focuses on social work issues affecting individuals across the lifespan and around the globe through chapters on disability and stigmatization; race, racism and resistance; women and gender; and terrorism"--

Contemporary social workers continue to face growing challenges of complex and diverse issues such as child maltreatment, poverty, unemployment, oppression, violence, mental illness, and end-of-life care across varied contexts. Wendy L. Haight and Edward H. Taylor present their book Human Behavior for Social Work Practice, Second Edition as a core text that will help students implement a consistent framework through which to approach multifaceted social issues in any environment, whether it be in inner city schools or rural nursing homes with individuals of different ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status. Human Behavior for Social Work Practice, Second Edition uses the developmental, ecological-systems perspective as an analytic tool to show students how social scientific evidence helps us understand human development and enhances social work practice. Students will learn that by effectively connecting theory to practice, they can develop successful strategies to use as they encounter complex issues currently facing social workers. The authors have reorganized and expanded this new edition to better illustrate developmental thinking in social work practice throughout the lifespan. This book also now includes special topic chapters on human brain development and the increasing relevance of neuroscience to social work practice as well as important social justice issues specific to race and gender that occur throughout the lifespan. Also new to this edition, Haight and Taylor have developed instructor's materials that can be tailored to include the social work experience of the instructor. It is comprehensive so that no additional resources are needed, and it is dynamically structured so information can be added where relevant to the course material.

"Human Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice remains a foundation work for those interested in the practice and teaching of social work. Roberta Greene covers theoretical areas and individual theorists including classical psychoanalytic thought, Eriksonian theory, Carl Rogers, cognitive theory, systems theory, ecological perspectives, social construction, feminism, and genetics. She discusses the historical context, its philosophical roots, and major assumptions of each theory. The general theme, which distinguishes this volume, is that the person-in-environment perspective has been a central influence in the formation of the profession's knowledge base, as well as its approach to practice. Greene provides perspective on how individuals and social systems interact.This book examines how social workers can use theory to shape social work practice by increasing his or her understanding of and potential for enhancing human well-being. Greene covers the relationship between human behavior theory and professional social work practice. She also explores the challenges and limitations of each theory and addresses the following issues: how the theory serves as a framework for social work practice; how the theory lends itself to an understanding of individual, family, group, community, or organizational behavior; what the implications are of the theory for social work interventions or practice strategies; and what role it proposes for the social worker as a change agent.Throughout the profession's history, social workers have turned to a number of theoretical approaches for the organizing concepts needed to define their practice base. The aims of social work--to improve societal conditions and to enhance social functioning of and between individuals, families, and groups--are put into action across all fields of practice and realized through a variety of methods in a range of settings. This third edition, completely revised, represents a fundamental contribution to the field, and like its predecessors, will be widely used as a basic text."--Provided by publisher.