Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work

It includes contemporary developments in traditional lifespan theory, theories of political economy, and a separate chapter on transpersonal theory. Each chapter includes coverage of the research that supports a particular theory, an analysis of the validity of that research, and a discussion of updated “Contemporary Issues.”

The text encourages students to develop critical thinking skills in analyzing and comparing theories.

Susan P. Robbins, Ph.D., LCSW is an Associate Professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She received her MSW from the University of Minnesota and her Ph.D. from Tulane University. She is the lead author of two monographs on drug abuse prevention and has published several book chapters on drugs and drug abuse. She has been a contributing author to the Encyclopedia of Social Work and the Social Workers' Desk Reference on the topics of cults, satanic ritual abuse and recovered memory of abuse and has published numerous articles in professional journals.

Pranab Chatterjee received his undergraduate education from Viswa-Bharati University in West Bengal, India.  Subsequent to that, he received a master’s degree in social work from The University of Tennessee, another master’s degree in sociology from The University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in sociology from The University of Chicago.  He is currently Grace Longwell Coyle Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.  Over the years, he has published many papers and books in social work and social welfare. His latest book is A Story of Ambivalent Modernization in Bangladesh and West Bengal (2010). Other recent books by him include Repackaging the Welfare State (1999), and Approaches to the Welfare State (1996).

Edward R. Canda, M.A., MSW, Ph.D., is a Professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas. He has authored or co-authored 9 books and more than 100 articles, chapters, and other publications dealing with intersections of cultural diversity, spirituality, health, and disability in theory and practice. His most recent book is Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice, second edition (co-authored with Leola Dyrud Furman, Oxford University Press, 2010). Dr. Canda does extensive international research and teaching, especially in East Asia. He has a special interest in comparative cross-cultural studies of philosophies and theories of human behavior. Dr. Canda's website offers access to numerous related resources and links on these topics at www.socwel.ku.edu/canda.