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Dimensions of Human Behavior
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Dimensions of Human Behavior
Person and Environment

Sixth Edition


August 2018 | 584 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Updated Edition of a Best Seller!

Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment presents a current and comprehensive examination of human behavior using a multidimensional framework. Author Elizabeth D. Hutchison explores the biological dimension and the social factors that affect human development and behavior, encouraging readers to connect their own personal experiences with social trends in order to recognize the unity of person and environment. Aligned with the 2015 curriculum guidelines set forth by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the substantially updated Sixth Edition includes a greater emphasis on culture and diversity, immigration, neuroscience, and the impact of technology. Twelve new case studies illustrate a balanced breadth and depth of coverage to help readers apply theory and general social work knowledge to unique practice situations.

The companion volume, Dimensions of Human Behavior: The Changing Life Course, Sixth Edition, builds on the dimensions of person and environment with the dimension of time and demonstrates how they work together to produce patterns in life course journeys. Instructors – save your students 25% when you bundle the two texts (Bundle ISBN 978-1-5443-5612-9) for the most comprehensive coverage available for Human Behavior courses.



 
Case Studies
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
PART I A MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH FOR MULTIFACETED SOCIAL WORK
 
Chapter 1. Human Behavior: A Multidimensional Approach
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
Human Behavior: Individual and Collective

 
A Multidimensional Approach

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

Elizabeth Hutchison, Cory Cummings, Leanne Charlesworth
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
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
Multiple Perspectives for a Multidimensional Approach

 
Systems Perspective

 
Conflict Perspective

Stephen Gilson
Exchange and Choice Perspective

 
Social Constructionist Perspective

 
Psychodynamic Perspective

 
Developmental Perspective

 
Behavioral Perspective

Joseph Walsh
Humanistic Perspective

 
The Merits of Multiple Perspectives

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
Joseph Walsh
PART II THE MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF PERSON
 
Chapter 3. The Biological Person
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
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

Michael Sheridan
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 4. The Psychological Person: Cognition, Emotion, and Self
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
Cognition and Emotion

 
Theories of Cognition

 
Theories of Emotion

 
Cognitive/Emotional “Disorders”

 
The Self

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

Elizabeth Hutchison, Linwood Cousins
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 5. The Psychosocial Person: Relationships, Stress, and Coping
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
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 6. The Spiritual Person
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
The Spiritual Dimension

 
Theories of Spiritual Development

 
The Role of Spirituality in Social Work

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

Elizabeth Cramer
Web Resources

 
 
PART III THE MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENT
 
Chapter 7. The Physical Environment
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
Theories of Human Behavior and the Physical Environment

 
The Natural Environment

 
The Built Environment

 
Place Attachment

 
Homelessness

 
Accessible Environments for Persons With Disabilities

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 8. Cultures
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
What Is Culture?

 
Theories of Culture

 
Major Concepts in the Study of Culture

 
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

 
Culture and Power

 
Genes and Culture

 
Digital Culture

 
How Culture Changes

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 9. Social Structure and Social Institutions: Global and National
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
Patterns of Social Life

 
Contemporary Trends in Global and U.S. Social Institutions

 
Theories of Social Inequality

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 10. Families
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
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 11. Small Groups
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
Small Groups in Social Work

 
Dimensions of Group Structure

 
Group Composition

 
Basic Group Processes

 
Interdisciplinary Teams and Leadership

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 12. Formal Organizations
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
A Definition of Formal Organizations

 
Perspectives on Formal Organizations

 
Burnout: A Negative Organizational Outcome

 
Social Work and Formal Organizations

 
Social Work Leadership in Formal Organizations

 
Culturally Sensitive Care Systems

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 13. Communities
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
A Definition of Community

 
Territorial Community and Relational Community

 
Social Workers and Communities: Our History

 
Theoretical Approaches to Community

 
Social Workers and Communities: Contemporary Issues

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Chapter 14. Social Movements
Chapter Outline

 
Learning Objectives

 
A Definition of Social Movements

 
Social Movements and the History of Social Work

 
Perspectives on Social Movements

 
Social Movement Outcomes

 
Social Movement Trends

 
Social Movements and Contemporary Social Work

 
Implications for Social Work Practice

 
Key Terms

 
Active Learning

 
Web Resources

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Author
 
About the Contributors

Supplements

Instructor Teaching Site

SAGE edge for instructors supports teaching by making it easy to integrate quality content and create a rich learning environment for students.

  • Test banks provide a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert your own personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.
  • Editable chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for one’s course.
  • Exclusive access to full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter.
  • Multimedia content including audio and video resources are available for use in independent or classroom-based explorations of key topics.
  • Class activities for individual or group projects reinforce active learning.
  • Discussion questions help launch classroom interaction by prompting students to engage with the material and by reinforcing important content. 
  • Course cartridges allow for easy LMS integration.
Student Study Site

SAGE edge for students provides a personalized approach to help students accomplish their coursework goals in an easy-to-use learning environment.

  • Mobile-friendly eFlashcards strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts.
  • Mobile-friendly practice quizzes allow for independent assessment by students of their mastery of course material.
  • Learning objectives reinforce the most important material.
  • Exclusive access to full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter.
  • Video and multimedia resources tied to learning objectives that bring concepts to life, making learning easier

“This book is a comprehensive collection of theories and perspectives regarding human behavior and the social environment. It is well written, easily accessible, organized, and timely.”

Johanna Slivinske
Youngstown State University

“A thorough and well-synthesized overview of the central concepts necessary to understanding human behavior in the social environment. The text contains an excellent introduction to key issues and controversies and is presented very logically and intuitively.”

Karl E. Johnson
Northern Michigan University

“I think the greatest strength of this text is its readability. Sometimes students take courses that are interesting but the text is too academic, too researchy, and too archaic. This text is not only readable but also understandable.”

Debra Mowery
University of South Florida

“This is a book that truly considers the professional development of the students. The author makes a clear effort to show the applications of concepts and theories. The case studies are creative and relevant.”

Alicia Borre
Hampton University

“A book that encourages critical thinking about theories and their relevance to practice, is critical for practice in today’s diverse and changing society, and is rooted within social work values and ethics.”

Nicole Lee
Virginia Commonwealth University

I use Elizabeth Hutchison's companion book for my class. She's an excellent author and having reviewed this text as well, it makes a great companion to this book. Would be good to be able to use both books for students HBSE I using the Life Course and HBSE II using Person and Environment.

Mrs Stephanie A Homstad
Social Work Dept, University Of North Dakota
October 28, 2018
Key features

NEW AND KEY FEATURES:  

  • Twelve new case studies reflect contemporary issues in rich detail and help readers connect theoretical and empirical content to real life situations social workers face.
  • Expanded discussions include:
  • Learning objectives added to each chapter identify for readers what will be learned from chapter content.
  • A new exhibit in Chapter 2 on Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior replaces margin notes in earlier editions to help readers connect theoretical perspectives to theories discussed in subsequent chapters.
  • New visual metaphors in Chapter 2 that represent major theoretical perspectives aid visual learners in grasping concepts of human behavior theories.
  • A rewritten Chapter 8 on Cultures reflects changing ideas about such issues as race, gender and gender expression, and sexual orientation.
  • Updated SAGE edge online resources provide instructor and students with easy-to-use teaching and learning tools.
  • Key terms appear in bold type within chapters and are defined in the Glossary for easy reference.
  • Critical thinking questions and active learning exercises stimulate students to reflection on and engage with the material.

For instructors

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