Human Behavior in the Social Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective

Ashford and LeCroy's groundbreaking book offers students a balanced, integrated introduction to human behavior in the social environment. Lively and comprehensive, this book succeeds by helping students connect foundation knowledge with 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. The authors take an integrative, multidimensional approach, discussing integrative practice, theory, treatment, and services throughout. This framework gives readers a concrete tool for assessing human behavior from a perspective that truly reflects the values and knowledge base of the social work profession. The text presents solid coverage of foundation knowledge, integrates the biopsychosocial dimensions for assessing social functioning, and offers case studies to illuminate the applied aspects of HBSE content. The authors successfully combine a multidimensional approach with consistent attention to diversity, giving readers a meaningful, exciting learning experience.

Jose Ashford teaches the human behavior course in the department of Social Work at Arizona State University and serves as a professor of social science and law in the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Justice Studies. He is currently the principle investigator for the Family Drug courts grant, funded by the governor's Division of Drug Policy. He is widely published in areas dealing with the assessment, classification, and treatment of special need offenders; juvenile aftercare; and forensic social work. Professor Ashford testifies around the country as an expert in the assessment of mitigating factors in capital murder cases.

Craig Winston LeCroy is a professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University. Dr. LeCroy has directed several projects for children and adolescents, including a National Institute of Mental Health Training Grant for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents; Youth Plus: Positive Socialization for Youth, a substance abuse prevention project; and a primary prevention program for adolescent girls. Professor LeCroy has published widely in the areas of children's mental health, social skills training, risk and needs assessment with juvenile offenders, and adolescent treatment and program evaluation.