Social Environments and Human Behavior: Contexts for Practice with Groups, Organizations, Communities, and Social Movements

Social Environments and Human Behavior focuses on the influence and interaction of groups, communities, organizations, and social movements in the lives of all individuals. The text brings together theoretical information with practice application, highlighting the historical foundations of social work in larger settings, and providing students the opportunity to make broader curricular connections. Each unit contains an overview of theoretical materials on groups, organizations, and communities followed by three selected readings: the first is a classic article by one of the pioneers of the field, the second reading is a literary or artistic selection that allows students to make personal and creative connections, and the third is a comprehensive decision case that gives readers an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge and illustrates the relationship between HBSE, practice, policy and research. This approach combines the best features of both a textbook and a reader, appealing to multiple learning styles and providing instructors maximum flexibility.

T. Laine Scales, PhD, MSW, is Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professional Development at Baylor University.

Jon E. Singletary, PhD, MSW, is Dean and Professor of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University.

H. Stephen Cooper, PhD, MSW, is Associate Dean and Director of the Division of Multidisciplinary Programs and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University.