Human Behavior in the Social Environment

BRUCE A. THYER, PhD, LCSW, is Professor and former dean, College of Social Work, at Florida State University. He is the founding and current editor of the bimonthly journal Research on Social Work Practice.CATHERINE N. DULMUS, PhD, is Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the Buffalo Center for Social Research in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and Research Director at Hillside Family of Agencies in Rochester, New York.KAREN M. SOWERS, PhD, is Dean and Beaman Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research interests include juvenile justice, sexuality, social work education, child welfare, evidence–based practice, and international social work practice.

• Preface xiiiAcknowledgments xxixAbout the Editors xxxiContributors xxxiiiChapter 1 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Exploring Conceptual Foundations 1Susan I. Stone, Yolanda Anyon, Stephanie Berzin, Sarah Taylor, and Michael J. AustinScholarly and Professional Dilemmas Related to Human Behavior and the Social Environment 2Development of the Human Behavior and Social Environment Construct 7A Selection of Frameworks That Address Linkages Between Human Behavior and the Social Environment 14Life Course Approach: An Application 17The Social Environment: Key Concepts 28Frameworks for Linking Knowledge to Practice 36Conclusion 38Key Terms 39Review Questions for Critical Thinking 39Online Resources 40References 41Chapter 2 Respondent Learning Theory 47Bruce A. ThyerRespondent Learning Processes 49Naturally Occurring Examples of Respondent Learning in Real Life 56Experimental Examples of Respondent Learning 59Examples of Respondent Learning of Psychosocial Problems 62Using Respondent Learning in Social Work Practice 67Creating Conditioned Reactions 69Philosophical Foundations of Respondent Learning 71Key Terms 74Review Questions for Critical Thinking 75Online Resources 75References 75Chapter 3 Operant Learning Theory 83Stephen E. WongHistorical and Conceptual Origins 83Basic Theoretical Principles 85Advanced Theoretical Principles 96Recent Theoretical Developments 98Relevance to Social Work Practice 103Critiques of the Operant Learning Approach 111Key Terms 112Review Questions for Critical Thinking 112Online Resources 113References 114Chapter 4 Cognitive-Behavioral Theory 125Paula S. Nurius and Rebecca J. MacyRelevance to Contemporary Practitioners 125Overview of Cognitive-Behavioral Theory 126Historical and Conceptual Origins 128Basic Theoretical Principles 132Advanced Theoretical Principles 140Recent Theoretical Developments 144Relevance to Social Work Practice 146Evidence-Based Foundations 154Critiques of This Approach 155Key Terms 157Review Questions for Critical Thinking 157Online Resources 158References 159Chapter 5 Attachment Theory 165Michelle Mohr Carney and Phen M. YoungHistorical and Conceptual Origins 166Basic Theoretical Principles 168Advanced Theoretical Principles 169Recent Theoretical Developments 171Relevance to Social Work Practice 173Critiques of This Approach 182Key Terms 183Review Questions for Critical Thinking 183Online Resources 184References 184Chapter 6 Psychosocial Theory 193Roberta R. GreeneDevelopmental Theory 193Historical and Conceptual Origins 194Basic Theoretical Principles 197Advanced Theoretical Principles 207Recent Theoretical Developments 210Relevance to Social Work Practice 212Evidence-Based Foundations: Erikson on Erikson 214Critiques of This Approach 215Key Terms 219Review Questions for Critical Thinking 219Online Resources 220References 220Chapter 7 Person-Centered Theory 225Michael J. Holosko, Jeffrey Skinner, and Catherine A. PattersonHistorical and Conceptual Origins 226Basic Theoretical Principles 233Advanced Theoretical Principles 239Recent Theoretical Developments 243Relevance to Social Work 244Assessment 246Intervention 248Evidence-Based Foundations 251Critiques of This Approach 254Key Terms 257Review Questions for Critical Thinking 258Online Resources 258References 259Chapter 8 Genetic Theory 263Laura J. PankowThe Eukaryotic Cell 266Chromosomes 268Reproduction 270Mitosis 271Mendelian Genetics 273The Process of Meiosis 275Pedigrees 277DNA and RNA 278The Genetics of Gender 281The Human Genome Project 285Conclusion 291Key Terms 292Review Questions for Critical Thinking 292Online Resources 292References 294Chapter 9 Ecosystems Theory 297Mark A. Mattaini and Kristen Huffman-GottschlingThe Ecosystems Perspective in Social Work 298The Conceptual Roots of the Ecosystems Perspective 300Evaluating the Ecosystems Perspective 311Returning to the Science 314Mapping Practice 316Conclusion 318Key Terms 319Review Questions for Critical Thinking 319Online Resources 320References 320Chapter 10 Small Group Theory 327Lorraine Moya Salas, Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, and Craig Winston LeCroyDefinitions 329History and Conceptual Origins 330Basic Theoretical Principles 339Advanced Theoretical Principles 344Recent Theoretical Developments 350Relevance to Social Work Practice 353Evidence-Based Foundations 359Critiques of This Approach 361Key Terms 362Review Questions for Critical Thinking 363Online Resources 363References 364Chapter 11 Family Systems Theory 369Martha Morrison DoreHistorical and Conceptual Origins 369Basic Theoretical Principles 377Advanced Theoretical Principles 379Recent Theoretical Developments 383Relevance to Social Work Practice 385Evidence-Based Foundations 396Critiques of This Theory 398Key Terms 401Review Questions for Critical Thinking 401Online Resources 401References 402Chapter 12 Organizational Theory 411John E. Tropman and Emily J. NicklettOrganizational Behavior 411Historical and Conceptual Origins 414Basic Theoretical Principles 422Advanced Theoretical Principles 426Recent Theoretical Developments 432Relevance to Social Work Practice 442Overall Social Work Demographics 443Evidence-Based Foundations 451Critiques of This Approach 452Conclusion 452Key Terms 453Review Questions for Critical Thinking 453Online Resources 453References 454Chapter 13 The Potentially Harmful Effects of Theory in Social Work 459Bruce A. ThyerSome Harmful Effects of Bad Theory 461Where Can We Go From Here? 476Conclusion 481Key Terms 482Review Questions for Critical Thinking 482Online Resources 483References 484Author Index 489Subject Index 499