Secure Checkout

Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work Practice, 4th edition

  • Susan P. Robbins, 
  • Pranab Chatterjee, 
  • Edward R. Canda, 
  • George S. Leibowitz

Your access includes:

  • Search, highlight, notes, and more
  • Easily create flashcards
  • Use the app for access anywhere
  • 14-day refund guarantee

$10.99per month

Minimum 4-month term, pay monthly or pay $43.96 upfront

Looking for your MyLab or Mastering eTextbook? Find it hereOpens in an new tab

Learn more, spend less

  • Study simpler and faster

    Use flashcards and other study tools in your eTextbook

  • Listen on the go

    Learn how you like with full eTextbook audio

  • Find it fast

    Quickly navigate your eTextbook with search

  • Stay organized

    Access all your eTextbooks in one place

  • Easily continue access

    Keep learning with auto-renew

Overview

Contemporary Human Behavior Theory takes a multidisciplinary, theoretical approach to HBSE and provides a consistent analytical framework for readers to examine both traditional and contemporary theories.

Students are encouraged to develop their critical-thinking skills as they explore each theory and analyze the social, ideological and economic structures of society that impact individual problems. Each chapter includes coverage of the research that supports a particular theory, an analysis of the validity of that research and a discussion of contemporary issues.

Updated with material that is critical to social work practice today, the 4th Edition includes new cases with practice application exercises, and expanded content on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons' development and empowerment.

Published by Pearson (July 14th 2021) - Copyright © 2019

ISBN-13: 9780137524198

Subject: Social Work & Human Services

Category: Human Behavior & Social Environment

Overview

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Nature of Theories
2. Systems Theory
3. Conflict Theories
4. Theories of Empowerment and Social Capital
5. Feminist Theory
6. Theories of Assimilation, Acculturation, Bicultural Socialization, and Ethnic Minority Identity
7. Psychodynamic Theory
8. Theories of Life Span Development
9. Theories of Cognitive, Moral, and Faith Development
10. Symbolic Interaction
11. Phenomenology, Social Constructionism, and Hermeneutics
12. Behaviorism, Social Learning, and Exchange Theory
13. Transpersonal Theory
14. Application of Theories

DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Nature of Theories
Organization of the Book and Rationale for Selection of Theories
Why Study Theories of Human Behavior?
Theories: What Are They?
The Social Construction of Theories
Ideology, Scientific Theory, and Social Work Practice
Determinism and Reductionism: A Problem of Social Construction
Theories: Application to Practice
Critical Analysis of Theory: The Missing Dimension
An Afterthought: Paths to Human Knowledge

2. Systems Theory
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Structural Functionalism
The Ecological Perspective
Dynamic Systems Theory
Deep Ecology
Ecofeminism
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

3. Conflict Theories
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Class Conflict
Roads from Marx
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

Chapter 4: Theories of Empowerment and Social Capital
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Stratification, Oppression, and Inequality: The Sociopolitical Context of Empowerment Theories
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and Intersex Empowerment Theories
Social Work Empowerment Theories
Social Capital Theory
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

5. Feminist Theory
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Feminist Theories
Contemporary Thought in Feminist Theory
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

6. Theories of Assimilation, Acculturation, and Bicultural Socialization and Ethnic Minority Identity
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Deficiency Theory
The Dual Perspective
Bicultural Socialization
Ethnic, Racial/Cultural and Minority Identity
A Multidimensional Transactional Model of Bicultural Identity
Transculturality
Cultural Competence
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

7. Psychodynamic Theory
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalysis
Roads from Freud
The Freudian Mainstream
The Freudian Left
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

8. Theories of Life Span Development
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Theoretical Knowledge about Physical Development
Theoretical Knowledge about Sexual Development
Theoretical Knowledge about Neurobiology and Neurotransmission
Theories of Psychosocial Development: The Life Span Approach
Roads from Erikson
Theories of Midlife Development
Life Span Development and Late Adulthood
Life Span Development of Women
Shame Resilience Theory
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex Identity Development
Stage Theories: Popularity versus Validity
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

9. Theories of Cognitive, Moral, and Faith Development
Historical Context
Cognitive Development
Moral Development
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

10. Symbolic Interaction
Historical Context
Key Concepts
The Chicago School and Early Interactionism
Roads from Mead
Role Theory, Reference Groups, and Socialization through the Life Cycle
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

11. Phenomenology, Social Constructionism, and Hermeneutics
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Roads from Schutz
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

12. Behaviorism, Social Learning, and Exchange Theory
Behaviorism
Social Learning Theory
Exchange Theory
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

13. Transpersonal Theory
Historical Context
Key Concepts
Transpersonal and Integral Theories
Contemporary Issues
Application to Social Work Practice
Critical Analysis
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics
Philosophical Underpinnings
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support

14. Application of Theories
Alternative Approaches to Theory Selection
"Measuring Up" to the Themes for Critical Reflection on Theories
Person-Focused Theories
Environment-Focused Theories
Twelve Great Ideas
An Example of Integrating Theories for a Practice Issue
Roads from Here: Future Possibilities and Challenges for Innovation in Human Behavior Theory

References
Discography
Name Index
Subject Index

Your questions answered

Pearson+ is your one-stop shop, with eTextbooks and study videos designed to help students get better grades in college.

A Pearson eTextbook is an easy‑to‑use digital version of the book. You'll get upgraded study tools, including enhanced search, highlights and notes, flashcards and audio. Plus learn on the go with the Pearson+ app.

Your eTextbook subscription gives you access for 4 months. You can make a one‑time payment for the initial 4‑month term or pay monthly. If you opt for monthly payments, we will charge your payment method each month until your 4‑month term ends. You can turn on auto‑renew in My account at any time to continue your subscription before your 4‑month term ends.

When you purchase an eTextbook subscription, it will last 4 months. You can renew your subscription by selecting Extend subscription on the Manage subscription page in My account before your initial term ends.

If you extend your subscription, we'll automatically charge you every month. If you made a one‑time payment for your initial 4‑month term, you'll now pay monthly. To make sure your learning is uninterrupted, please check your card details.

To avoid the next payment charge, select Cancel subscription on the Manage subscription page in My account before the renewal date. You can subscribe again in the future by purchasing another eTextbook subscription.

Channels is a video platform with thousands of explanations, solutions and practice problems to help you do homework and prep for exams. Videos are personalized to your course, and tutors walk you through solutions. Plus, interactive AI‑powered summaries and a social community help you better understand lessons from class.

Channels is an additional tool to help you with your studies. This means you can use Channels even if your course uses a non‑Pearson textbook.

When you choose a Channels subscription, you're signing up for a 1‑month, 3‑month or 12‑month term and you make an upfront payment for your subscription. By default, these subscriptions auto‑renew at the frequency you select during checkout.

When you purchase a Channels subscription it will last 1 month, 3 months or 12 months, depending on the plan you chose. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of your term unless you cancel it.

We use your credit card to renew your subscription automatically. To make sure your learning is uninterrupted, please check your card details.