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Essentials of Human Behavior
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Essentials of Human Behavior
Integrating Person, Environment, and the Life Course

Third Edition
Available with:
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January 2021 | 768 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Essentials of Human Behavior combines Elizabeth D. Hutchison’s two best-selling Dimensions of Human Behavior volumes into a single streamlined volume for understanding human behavior. The text presents a multidimensional framework integrating person, environment, and time to show students the dynamic, changing nature of person-in-environment. In this Third Edition, Hutchison is joined by new co-author Leanne Wood Charlesworth, who uses her practice and teaching experience to help organize the book’s cutting-edge research and bring it into the classroom. The text will thoroughly support students' understanding of human behavior theories and research and their applications to social work engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation across all levels of practice.
 

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Case Studies
 
Preface
 
Note from the Editors
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Editors
 
About the Contributors
 
Part I . A Multidimensional, Multitheoretical Approach for Multifaceted Social Work
 
Chapter 1 . Human Behavior: A Multidimensional Approach
Human Behavior: Individual and Collective

 
A Multidimensional Approach

 
Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice: A Global Perspective

 
Knowing and Doing

 
Scientific Knowledge: Theory and Research

 
Organization of the Book

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 2 . Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior
Multiple Perspectives for a Multidimensional Approach

 
Systems Perspective

 
Conflict Perspective

 
Exchange and Choice Perspective

 
Social Constructionist Perspective

 
Psychodynamic Perspective

 
Developmental Perspective

 
Behavioral Perspective

 
Humanistic Perspective

 
The Merits of Multiple Perspectives

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Part II . The Multiple Dimensions of the Person
 
Chapter 3 . The Biological Person
An Integrative Approach for Understanding the Intersection of Interior Biological Health and Illness and Exterior Environmental Factors

 
Systems Taxonomy: Six Interior Environment Systems

 
Ecobiodevelopmental Framework to Understand the Relationship Between Interior Health and Exterior Environments

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 4 . The Psychological Person
Cognition and Emotion

 
Theories of Cognition

 
Theories of Emotion

 
The Self

 
The Self in Relationships

 
The Concept of Stress

 
Coping and Adaptation

 
Normal and Abnormal Coping

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 5 . The Spiritual Person
The Spiritual Dimension

 
Theories of Spiritual Development

 
The Role of Spirituality in Social Work

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Part III . The Multiple Dimensions of the Environment
 
Chapter 6 . Cultures and the Physical Environment
Physical Environment

 
What Is Culture?

 
Theories of Culture

 
Major Concepts in the Study of Culture

 
Culture and Power

 
Genes and Culture

 
How Culture Changes

 
The Relationship Between the Physical Environment and Human Behavior

 
The Natural Environment

 
The Built Environment

 
Accessible Environments for Persons With Disabilities

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 7 . Families
Family Defined

 
The Family in Historical Perspective

 
Theoretical Perspectives for Understanding Families

 
Diversity in Family Life

 
Challenges to Family Life

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 8 . Small Groups, Formal Organizations, and Communities
Small Groups in Social Work

 
Small Group Structure, Composition, and Processes

 
Theories of Group Processes

 
Formal Organizations: Definition and Theoretical Perspectives

 
Community: Territorial and Relational

 
Theoretical Approaches to Community

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 9 . Social Structure, Social Institutions, and Social Movements: Global and National
Patterns of Social Life

 
Contemporary Trends in Global and U.S. Social Institutions

 
Theories of Social Inequality

 
Social Movements: Definition and Theoretical Perspectives

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
Part IV . The Changing Life Course

 
 
Chapter 10 . The Human Life Journey: A Life Course Perspective
The Life Course Perspective

 
Theoretical Roots of the Life Course Perspective

 
Basic Concepts of the Life Course Perspective

 
Major Themes of the Life Course Perspective

 
Life Course Developmental Perspective on Families

 
The Life Course Perspective and Social Work Practice

 
Integration With a Multidimensional, Multitheoretical Approach

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 11 . The Journey Begins: Conception, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infancy
Sociocultural Organization of Childbearing and Child-Rearing

 
Control Over Conception and Pregnancy

 
Fetal Development

 
At-Risk Newborns

 
Typical Infant Development

 
The Role of Play

 
Childcare Arrangements in Infancy

 
Infants in the Multigenerational Family

 
Risk and Protective Factors in Conception, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infancy

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 12 . Toddlerhood and Early Childhood
Typical Development in Toddlerhood and Early Childhood

 
The Role of Play

 
Developmental Delays and Disabilities

 
Early Childhood Education

 
Toddlerhood and Early Childhood in the Multigenerational Family

 
Risks to Healthy Development in Toddlerhood and Early Childhood

 
Protective Factors in Toddlerhood and Early Childhood

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 13 • Middle Childhood
Historical Perspective on Middle Childhood

 
Middle Childhood in the Multigenerational Family

 
Development in Middle Childhood

 
Middle Childhood and Formal Schooling

 
Special Challenges in Middle Childhood

 
Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Middle Childhood

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 14 . Adolescence
The Social Construction of Adolescence Across Time and Space

 
The Transition From Childhood to Adulthood

 
Biological Aspects of Adolescence

 
Psychological Aspects of Adolescence

 
Social Aspects of Adolescence

 
Adolescent Spirituality/Religiosity

 
Adolescent Sexuality

 
Potential Challenges to Adolescent Development

 
Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Adolescence

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 15 . Young and Middle Adulthood
The Meaning of Adulthood

 
Theoretical Approaches to Adulthood

 
Physical Functioning in Young and Middle Adulthood

 
Cognition in Young and Middle Adulthood

 
Personality and Identity in Young and Middle Adulthood

 
Young- and Middle-Adult Spirituality

 
Relationships in Young and Middle Adulthood

 
Work in Young and Middle Adulthood

 
Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Young and Middle Adulthood

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 16 . Late Adulthood
Demographics of the Older-Adult Population

 
Cultural Construction of Late Adulthood

 
Psychosocial Theoretical Perspectives on Social Gerontology

 
Biological Changes in Late Adulthood

 
Psychological Changes in Late Adulthood

 
Social Role Transitions and Life Events of Late Adulthood

 
The Search for Personal Meaning

 
Resources for Meeting the Needs of Elderly Persons

 
The Dying Process

 
Loss, Grief, and Bereavement

 
Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Late Adulthood

 
The Life Course Completed

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

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I adopted this textbook for fall 2023. Thank you.

Dr Bassima Schbley
Social Work Dept, Washburn University
May 30, 2023
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Previously used the two separate textbooks for Human Behavior I and Human Behavior II but liked using the combined textbook for both courses.

Mrs Kelli Hoffman
Social Work, Kuyper College
July 27, 2022
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The chapter learning objectives aligned best with the course-level student learning objectives.

Dr Jennifer Gervais
School Of Social Welfare, Univ Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
July 14, 2021
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Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • The Third Edition is available as a digital option through SAGE Vantage, an intuitive digital platform that offers auto-graded assignments and interactive multimedia tools—including video—all designed to enable students to better prepare for class. Learn more.
  • 17 new case studies have been added to reflect contemporary issues.
  • Consistency with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) curriculum guidelines is explained where appropriate.
  • Content on cultures has been completely rewritten, with greater emphasis on how the dynamics of power are embedded in culture.
  • New, expanded, and thorough updates to discussions cover topics such as gender identity and expression; neuroscience; trauma and traumatic stress; the global context of human behavior; and the impact of the new information, communication, and medical technologies on human behavior.
  • New content on environmental and ecological justice has been added to the discussions of the physical environment and social movements and woven into other chapters as well.
KEY FEATURES:
  • 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standard (EPAS) competencies are linked to chapter content in a chart at the beginning of the text.
  • Powerful chapter-opening case studies help readers apply theory and concepts to unique practice situations.
  • Implications for social work practice are included throughout chapters to guide the reader’s use of general social work knowledge in assessment and intervention.
  • Active learning exercises suggest classroom activities that encourage critical analysis of theory and research and assist the reader in recognizing and managing personal values and biases.
  • Critical thinking questions assist student comprehension of theory and research to further critical analysis.
  • Chapter-opening outlines and learning objectives help readers anticipate the knowledge, values, and skills they should be able to exhibit following the reading of each chapter.
  • Robust chapter pedagogy includes bolded key terms, photographs, tables and figures, and a list of web resources to drive a deeper understanding of text content.
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