Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: A New Synthesis

 Promotes critical thinking through extensive review and analysis of macro-level systems and structures, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts they have on individuals and families. • Avoids overwhelming students with the multitude of theories used to explain large systems by using the same structure in each chapter, helping students mentally organize material in a way that helps them apply the knowledge to other social work courses. • Fully supports the “person-in-environment” orientation by moving away from an over-emphasis on individual development, toward an examination of contextual issues that more fully explains the challenges routinely encoutered by social workers. • Thoroughly examines the social institutions that impact social workers and their clients, helping students make connections between current events and social work curriculum content (Chs. 2-4). • Introduces content on social class, racial/ethnic minorities, gender, sexual orientation and disabilities in a way that encourages open mindedness in students while discouraging stereotyping (Chs. 5-11). • Focuses on diversity and strengths in minority populations and social settings, and addresses issues of oppression with sensitivity, helping to develop students' appreciation for the challenges faced by populations at risk (Chs. 5-11).

Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment promotes critical thinking through extensive review and analysis of macro-level systems and structures, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts they have on individuals and families.

Highlights of The First Edition:

• Presents multiple perspectives in each chapter to explain each macro topic, helping students to become more adept at applying different perspectives and using critical thinking skills.
• Avoids overwhelming students by organizing each chapter the same way, helping students mentally organize material so they can readily apply the knowledge to other social work courses.
• Supports the “person-in-environment” orientation by moving away from an overemphasis on individual development, toward an examination of contextual issues that more fully demonstrate the challenges routinely encountered by social workers.

What reviewers are saying about Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment:
“I cannot remember the last time that I read a textbook that was as fascinating and held my attention throughout... I predict that social work students will love this book and teachers will find students to be enthusiastic and engaged in the topic.”
—Deborah Valentine, Ph.D., Colorado State University

“The perspectives presented such as social constructionist, ecosystems, diversity, etc. will greatly facilitate students' learning and bridge the gap between theory, practice, and multiple dimensions of the macro environment. I think that students will find this text interesting and understandable and that it will help students to critically examine the multiple dimensions of human behavior.”
—Marian S. Harris, Ph.D., University of Washington, Tacoma

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