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Human Behavior Theory and Applications
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Human Behavior Theory and Applications
A Critical Thinking Approach



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

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

Don't like focus as well as Hutchinson

Dr Jeanne Thomas
Social Work Dept, Eastern Michigan University
February 17, 2012

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