Hardcover

ISBN 10: 084002911X ISBN 13: 9780840029119

Publisher: Brooks Cole, 2012

This lively, comprehensive introduction to human behavior in the social environment offers a multidimensional approach to the topic, with discussion of integrative practice, theory, treatment, and services as well as matters pertaining to diversity addressed throughout the text. The text provides solid coverage of foundation knowledge, integrates the biopsychosocial dimensions for assessing social functioning, and offers case studies to illuminate the applied aspects of the content. Furthermore, as part of the Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series, the fifth edition thoroughly integrates the core competencies and recommended practice behaviors outlined in the 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), thus helping you connect foundation knowledge with specific practice concerns. Study tables and concept maps (for each discussion of behavior in the development chapters) clarify major phases of biopsychosocial development across the life span. This framework gives you a concrete tool for assessing human behavior from a perspective that reflects the values and knowledge base of the social work profession.

About the Author:

Jose B. Ashford teaches the human behavior courses in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University and serves as a professor in the doctoral program in sociology. He is also an affiliate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Law and Behavioral Science, and Justice and Social Inquiry. Dr. Ashford is the principle investigator of the Community Justice Support Services grant, funded by the Maricopa County Human Services Department, and the Chief Research Consultant for the Office of the City of Phoenix Prosecutor. He testifies around the country as a social history and life course expert in the assessment of mitigating factors in capital murder cases, and is actively engaged with the Arizona Justice Project in examining the lives of juveniles serving life sentences. He has published widely in areas dealing with the assessment, classification, and treatment of special need offenders; forensic social work; mitigation of punishment; risk and needs assessment; and offender reentry.