The Conundrum of Human Behavior in the Social Environment


Book Description

Get the new educational standard under the Council of Social Work Education for human behavior and social environment studies! Critical thinking skills are an indispensable component of any educational program, but especially the HBSE curriculum. The Conundrum of Human Behavior in the Social Environment shows ways to spark those needed skills while providing a comprehensive framework on the social environment impact and human behavior theory crucial for graduate and undergraduate courses. Macro, mezzo, and micro forces are examined in depth, along with considerations for redesigning the content in HBSE curricula in accordance with current educational standards. Noted authorities detail evidence-based practices and present extensive referencing along with offering Web site listings and syllabi for coursework. The Conundrum of Human Behavior in the Social Environment presents theories of behavioral change that can be facilitated by practitioners to eliminate or modify undesirable behaviors, as well as provides a framework useful for understanding how a macro-system consisting of four societal forces (social justice, social problems, social policy, and the political economy) works to influence a micro-system of community, organizational, and group dynamic. Four types of HB and SE course outlines are presented and discussed with an eye toward strengthening foundation courses, along with an analysis of fourteen frequently used Human Behavior and Social Environment textbooks based on the Council on Social Work Education’s 2001 guidelines that also offers a framework for integrating content. The application of the transtheoretical model of behavioral change to the welfare to work transition with public housing residents is presented using both quantitative and qualitative data that has been closely analyzed. The Conundrum of Human Behavior in the Social Environment provides: extensive references clear and helpful figures and tables of data numerous appendices of useful detailed outlines and descriptions of textbooks lists of Web sites a syllabi and course sequence description for micro/macro/mezzo issues The Conundrum of Human Behavior in the Social Environment is valuable reading for students, educators, social workers, health professionals, psychologists, sociologists, and other human services professionals interested in staying on top of the shifts of focus in human behavior and social environmental curriculums.







African American Behavior in the Social Environment


Book Description

An essential text to help to understand human behavior and the processes that guide human adaptation Social workers and therapists need to assess the full range of aspects of their client problems such as socioeconomic status, academic achievement, parental incarceration, psychopathology, and other risks. African American Behavior in the Social Environment: New Perspectives explores the latest empirical and theoretical findings of human behavior and resiliency in African American individuals, families, and communities. Leading scholars provide unique insights into African American mental health, gender relations, family interactions and dynamics, inequality, poverty, the balance between work and family, and nontraditional families. This important text discusses in detail the importance of understanding the processes that guide human adaptation and understanding the dynamics of how particular ethnic groups, cultures, and people use resources to adapt to certain circumstances that can be useful in assessment and treatment. African American Behavior in the Social Environment: New Perspectives presents the analysis and research of several individuals in order to provide an understanding of how the concept of protective factors, racial identity, and racial socialization has been approached, the direction their insights have taken them, and the results of exploring the dynamics of African American behavior in relationship to environments. Research discussed in African American Behavior in the Social Environment: New Perspectives include: socioeconomic status health disparity the impact of having incarcerated parents academic achievement gap kinship ties leadership development race identity and socialization suicide among African American adolescents Black churches impact in HIV/AIDS prevention culturally relevant mental health services gender and sexuality issues policy and practice and much more! African American Behavior in the Social Environment: New Perspectives is an invaluable resource for counselors, marriage and family therapists, educators, and students in African American studies.




Human Behavior in the Social Environment


Book Description

An accessible and engaging guide to the study of human behavior in the social environment, covering every major theoretical approach Providing an overview of the major human behavioral theories used to guide social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, and organizations, Human Behavior in the Social Environment examines a different theoretical approach in each chapter from its historical and conceptual origins to its relevance to social work and clinical applications. Each chapter draws on a theoretical approach to foster understanding of normative individual human development and the etiology of dysfunctional behavior, as well as to provide guidance in the application of social work intervention. Edited by a team of scholars, Human Behavior in the Social Environment addresses the Council on Social Work Education's required competencies for accreditation (EPAS) and explores: Respondent Learning theory Operant Learning theory Cognitive-Behavioral theory Attachment theory Psychosocial theory Person-Centered theory Genetic theory Ecosystems theory Small Group theory Family Systems theory Organizational theory




The Impact of Welfare Reform


Book Description

Get a balanced, comprehensive analysis of the effects from 1996 welfare reform The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was aimed at repairing the welfare system of the United States. The Impact of Welfare Reform: Balancing Safety Nets and Behavior Modification comprehensively examines how this bill transformed the system and affected not only clients but also the organizations that implemented the reform. This text moves beyond traditional analyses of welfare reform to reveal a full range of viewpoints and issues while avoiding mere political rhetoric. Leading authorities present knowledgeable perspectives on the clients and their problems, the implementing organizations, the struggles to comply with the requirements, and the issues that remain unresolved. The Impact of Welfare Reform presents revealing interviews with clients, organizational employees, and caseworkers. In-depth discussion topics include the value of emotional well-being on job status, the effects that the new time limit requirements have on clients, ways to facilitate the welfare-to-work transition for women with mental health issues, changes in the work environment of service-providing organizations, and the client’s own experiences within and outside of the system. Qualitative and quantitative methods of study are used to effectively evaluate welfare reform while providing a direction for further research in the future. The text is extensively referenced and uses tables, charts, and figures to clearly illustrate data. This book will bring you up to date on: the impact of alcohol, drugs, and psychological well-being on successfully finding employment the impact of welfare reform on children and adolescents innovations by state welfare offices community and alternative interventions that help those on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to comply with work requirements and time limits the perceptions of caseworkers who implement TANF and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) The Impact of Welfare Reform is enlightening reading for social workers, educators, graduate students, and public policy professionals.




Contemporary Issues of Care


Book Description

Make sure your clients get the best possible care throughout their lives Contemporary Issues of Care presents the latest research findings on human behavior and the social environment for social workers practicing at the individual, family, and community levels. This timely book applies the functional-age model on intergenerational therapy (FAM) to examine the interaction between the care recipient’s biopsychosocial and spiritual functioning and the capacity of the family/caregiver to adapt. The book’s contributors examine the functions of various social systems in caregiving as well as the social worker’s role in processing and integrating information to help develop family-centered and community-based interventions. Contemporary Issues of Care focuses on caregiving situations across the life span, using research findings to shape social work curriculum and to improve social work practice and services. With the family still the primary caregiving institution in the United States, the book examines the mutual interdependence among family members and the dynamic development of family structure and organization. An exemplary textbook for students in social work, the book also includes a workbook and CD. Topics addressed in Contemporary Issues of Care include: shifts in human behavior paradigms family systems interventions case management sibling caregiving the impact of culture on mental illness and mental health the importance of self-care elder abuse substance abuse children with cancer HIV/AIDS diabetes posttraumatic stress inner-city challenges caregiving for gay men and lesbians caregiving for persons with dementia community caregiving and much more Contemporary Issues of Care is filled with charts, tables, diagrams, and sample interviews that supplement articles from the leading practitioners and academics in the field. This book is an essential resource for anyone involved in social work practice for individuals, families, and communities.




Human Behavior in the Social Environment


Book Description

Design and implement appropriate, effective social work education programs! This vital human behavior textbook for graduate-level social work students emphasizes the biopsychosocial framework with a psychodynamic and developmental perspective. Written from the perspective of a classroom teacher, faculty advisor, and clinician, this book discusses ego functions, defenses, psychoanalytic theory, object relations, attachment theory, self-psychology, constructivism, and cognitive-behavioral theories. In addition, current social problems such as violence and abuse are addressed. Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Interweaving the Inner and Outer Worlds addresses development through the life cycle, discussing the developmental challenges, tasks, and problems of each stage. Presenting complex concepts in a clear and understandable way, it also examines and integrates systems and organizational factors, as well as the impact of culture on clients and treatment programs. Each chapter of Human Behavior in the Social Environment includes learning exercises and suggested readings. Some of the issues emphasized in this text are: development though the life cycle and the challenges, tasks, and problems of each stage the diversity of forms of families patterns of internal organization and communication within families illness and disabilities mental health problems such as schizophrenia, depression, borderline personalities, anxiety disorders, addictions, and developmental disabilities With case vignettes as well as material from literary works, biographies, and newspapers, this well-referenced volume illustrates the complexities of human existence, the multiple social conflicts operating in society, and the relevance of social policy dilemmas.







Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Micro Level


Book Description

While social work policy can be considered the what, and practice, the how, the study of human behavior is concerned with why. Why do people do the things they do? Why do individuals behave differently in groups than when alone? Why do some people become the victims of their lives while others who have endured tragedy become life's heroes? Resilience across the life span is a new major theme of the second edition of the bestselling Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Micro Level. In an elegant and accessible manner, Katherine van Wormer explores the nuances of the biological, psychological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of our social lives from an ecosystems and empowerment-based perspective. Drawing on examples from social work, psychology, literature, philosophy, and current events, vignettes highlight the turning points in our lives and invite students to explore the contradictions between how we mean to be and how others view us. The result is an essential book that bridges theory and practice, providing extraordinary insight into our drives and motivations, and revealing the myriad patterns and paradoxes of our behavior in the social context. * Integrates new research findings and recent census and global health data * Revised with augmented discussions of multiculturalism, Latino/Latina identity issues, and late adulthood to reflect demographic changes in the United States * Outlines theoretical concepts and practice implications in each chapter * Places unique emphasis on biology's influence on human behavior, employing the latest empirical data in discussions of matters such as gender differences, genetics, and mental disorders * Focuses on evidence-based theory and research * Teaches from a global, cross-cultural, perspective, highlighting themes of empowerment and social justice * Features dynamic readings, personal narratives, and photographs that highlight each chapter's topic * Accompanied by an online instructor's manual with lecture presentations, chapter summaries, key terms, suggested classroom activities, and a test bank with essay and multiple choice questions at www.oup.com/us/HBSE/ Don't miss the companion volume, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Macro Level, Second Edition written with Fred H. Besthorn, which develops a sophisticated and original view of the cultural, global, spiritual, and natural worlds that people inhabit, and the impact of these worlds on human behavior.




Human Behavior and the Social Environment


Book Description

This comprehensive text offers a solid foundation for asssessment of human behavior in micro, mezzo, and macro settings. The editors offer practical and concrete consideration of how human behavior is affected in different systems: individual, biological, family, community, and organizations. These influences are reviewed in terms of implications for practice. The book assembles selected readings that: provide a brief overview of each theoretical model discuss how empiricism can be applied to the model describe what methods, techniques, and interventions the model supports in order to change a client's behavior