Handbook of Human Behavior and the Social Environment: A Practice-based Approach

Handbook of Human Behaviour and the Social Environment is a compendium of new theories for all aspects of social work practice. It pulls together major theories and concepts used in the field. By synthesizing this wide knowledge base via practical points of view and tracing the socio-historical evolution of its content and the role of the social worker, this handbook will assist social workers in achieving their primary goals: fostering human well-being and competent social functioning.

The authors describe the current social work curriculum developed by the Council on Social Work Education Commission on Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, demonstrating how client and constituency engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation are guided by knowledge of human behaviour and the social environment (HBSE) theory. The Handbook applies HBSE theories differently depending on client system size, context, and needs. Major concepts include power, oppression, and identity formation.

This essential, up-to-date volume formulates strategies to eliminate personal bias and to promote human rights. In addition, it integrates ethics, research, policy content, diversity, human rights, and social, economic, and environmental justice issues. It will serve as an insightful and influential guide to students, professors, and social workers.

Roberta R. Greene has numerous publications on human behavior and gerontology, including risk and resilience, such as Greene and Wright et al.'sHuman Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice with Marginalized Oppressed Populations (2019, Routledge), and an article on resilience in the Encyclopedia of Social Work (2008, NASW Press). She served on the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy Commission, which mandates curriculum competencies. Dr. Greene is Professor Emeritus and former chair in Gerontology and Social Welfare at the School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin. Joe M. Schriver is Professor Emeritus and founding director of the School of Social Work at the University of Arkansas. He has held leadership positions in the Council on Social Work Education and the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors.