Human Behavior Theory and Applications
A Critical Thinking Approach

Other Titles in:
Social Work & Social Policy (General)

November 2011 | 392 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

In Human Behavior Theory and Applications, authors Elizabeth DePoy and Stephen Gilson use a critical thinking approach to engage students to think in depth about theory and its use in social work practice. With a strong focus on diversity, this book expands its theory coverage to include progressive and the most cutting-edge contemporary thinking. The authors skillfully introduce theory, critically examine each theory, including developmental theories, environmental theories, diversity theories, systems theories, and new and emerging theories, and then apply each theory to social work practice providing a synthesis of classical and contemporary theory for scholarly analysis and application to professional, intellectual, and social action.

Section 1- Introduction to Theory

1. Introduction: And There Was Theory

2. The scope of human behavior and experience in diverse environments: Overview of Theory Types

Section 2- Closely Examining Theories of Humans in Environments

3. Developmental Theories: Looking at humans over time

4. Theories which look at individuals developing as a whole: Grand Theories

5. Theories which look at individuals developing as parts: Specific Theories

6. Foundations of Environmental Theories

7. Environment Theories I

8. Environment Theories II

9. Foundations of Population Specific Theories

10. Population Specific Theories I: Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Religion, Class

11. Population Specific Theories II: Gender

12. Population Specific Theories III: Disability Introduction

13. Systems theories: Classic and Contemporary

14. New and Emergent Theories

Section 3- Application to Social Work Thinking, Knowledge, Values, Ethics and Practice

15. Guidelines for Application to Social Work

16. Application of Development Theories to Social Work

17. Application of Environmental Theory to Social Work

18. Application of Population Specific Theories to Social Work

19. Application of Systems Theories to Social Work

20. Application of New and Emerging Theories to Social Work

21. Putting Theory to Work

References

"What I like most about this text is that it taught students to think critically about theory and provided them with the tools for doing so. From this perspective this is a very valuable text for graduate students."

Heath B. Walters

Lewis Clark State College

Highly recommended text for social work students on qualifying courses

Dr Shepard Masocha

School of Social Policy, Sociology & Social Research, University of Kent

June 15, 2013

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This is a very well written book that would assist any student in undertaking advanced studies within an area of social research and human understanding.

The applications referred to in the text integrate nicely to stretching the mind in developing greater comprehension in aspects of human behaviour theory that will transcend across many disciplines within the social sciences. Any post graduate student studying in the social sciences would benefit from reading this book, as it is insightful and a interesting read.

Mr Robert Bielby

faculty of health and social care sciences, Kingston University

January 5, 2013

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Don't like focus as well as Hutchinson

Dr Jeanne Thomas

Social Work Dept, Eastern Michigan University

February 17, 2012

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