The third of five books in McGraw-Hill's new series NEW DIRECTIONS IN SOCIAL WORK, this new text provides an overview of the many issues related to human behavior and the social environment that are relevant to social work practice. With the help of this book, students will be able to discern theoretical, developmental, and sociological themes that they will keep exploring as they move through their professional life, and they will have a better grasp of the ways in which all of these pieces of information can fit together to help them address client problems and interventions. The text draws on the rich knowledge base that exists in various disciplines to help students ask pertinent questions, conceptualize the complexity of human problems, and pursue their own knowledge to find answers to the various problems with which they will grapple as social workers.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 1e

Preface

1. Theory: The Foundation of Social Work

Defining Human Behavior in the Social Environment

Relating Knowledge of Human Behavior to Other Social Work Content Areas

Using This Book to Think About Human Development and Social Work Practice

2. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: The Person in the Environment

Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels of Conceptualization

The Biopsychosocial Approach

Systems Theory

Ecological Theory

The Strengths Perspective

3. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Biopsychosocial Dimensions

The Disease Model

Theories of Cognitive Development

Psychodynamic Theories

Behavioral and Learning Theories

Humanistic and Existential Perspectives

4. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Sociocultural Dimensions

Sociological Theories

Feminist Theory

Cultural Perspectives

5. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Social Change Dimensions

Theories of Racism, Discrimination, and Oppression

Social and Economic Justice Perspectives

Social Change and Social Action Perspectives

Community Organization Theory

6. Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Issues

Developmental Milestones in the Fetus

Pregnancy, Birth, and the Individual

Pregnancy, Birth, and the Family and Immediate Environment

Pregnancy, Birth, and the Larger Social Environment

7. Development in Infancy and Early Childhood

Developmental Milestones in Infants and Young Children

The Individual in Infancy and Early Childhood

The Family and Immediate Environment in Infancy and Early Childhood

The Larger Social Environment in Infancy and Early Childhood

8. Development in Middle Childhood

Developmental Milestones in Older Children

The Individual in Middle Childhood

The Family and Immediate Environment in Middle Childhood

The Larger Social Environment in Middle Childhood

9. Development in Adolescence

Developmental Milestones in the Teen Years

The Individual in Adolescence

The Family and Immediate Environment in Adolescence

The Larger Social Environment in Adolescence

10. Development in Early Adulthood

Developmental Milestones in Young Adults

The Individual in Early Adulthood

The Family and Immediate Environment in Early Adulthood

The Larger Social Environment in Early Adulthood

11. Development in Middle Adulthood

Developmental Milestones in Middle Age

The Individual in Middle Adulthood

The Family and Immediate Environment in Middle Adulthood

The Larger Social Environment in Middle Adulthood: Ageism

12. Development in Later Adulthood

Developmental Milestones in Older Adults

Psychological Changes

The Individual in Late Adulthood

The Family and Immediate Environment in Late Adulthood

The Larger Social Environment in Late Adulthood