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Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Social Systems Theory, 7th edition

Published by Pearson (July 2, 2012) © 2013

  • Orren Dale
  • Rebecca Smith

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PRESENTS MAJOR THEORIES FOR SYSTEMS ADDRESSED IN GENERALIST PRACTICE

  • The basic terms and concepts of social systems theory are defined in an expanded format. (ex. p. 128)
  • The systems features of each theory are discussed at the level of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. (ex. p. 242)

IMPROVE CRITICAL THINKING

  • The role of theory in assessment and problem solving is emphasized. (ex. p. 354)
  • A common language for analyzing theories is provided. (ex. p. 16)
  • Examples from practice that illustrate theory are included.  (ex. p. 108)

ENGAGE STUDENTS

  • Theories used for social work practice are presented with practice examples. (ex. p. 115)
  • The language of role theory is used to clarify the relationship between theories. (ex. p. 9)
  • Using theory for both assessment and intervention planning is stressed. (ex. p. 358)
  • The 2008 CSWE EPAS are integrated, with critical thinking questions and practice tests to assess student understanding of chapter content and development of competence. (ex. p. 260)

EXPLORE CURRENT ISSUES

  • The theoretical background for current practice with addictions and violence is presented. (ex. p. 338)
  • The concept of social capital in current practice is explored. (ex. p. 401)

APPLY CSWE CORE COMPETENCIES

  • The text explains why the core competencies are important.
  • A complete CSWE EPAS grid describing each of the 10 core competencies and practice behavior examples is included.
  • Chapter-specific practice behavior coverage is inlcuded in the text.
  • Complete core competency coverage by chapter is included in the text.
  • Grids highlighting the core competencies addressed throughout the chapter are included.
  • Competency-based critical thinking questions tie to both competency application and chapter content.
  • The text features ties to videos, cases, and assessment, including core competency based videos and assessment in MySearchLab.

SUPPORT INSTRUCTORS

  • The outstanding supplements package supports a wide range of instructional settings including small discussion groups, large lecture halls, and online or Web-based courses.

  • Create a Custom Text: For enrollments of at least 25, create your own textbook by combining chapters from best-selling Pearson textbooks and/or reading selections in the sequence you want.  To begin building your custom text, visit www.pearsoncustomlibrary.com. You may also work with a dedicated Pearson Custom editor to create your ideal text–publishing your own original content or mixing and matching Pearson content. Contact your Pearson Publisher’s Representative to get started.

In this section:

1. Overview of changes

2. Chapter-by-chapter changes

1. Overview of Changes

IMPROVE CRITICAL THINKING

  • Emphasizes the role of theory in assessment and problem solving  (ex. p. 354)
  • Provides a common language for analyzing theories  (ex. p. 16)
  • Provides examples from practice that illustrate theory (ex. p. 108)

ENGAGE STUDENTS

  • Theories used for social work practice are presented with practice examples  (ex. p. 115)
  • The language of role theory is used to clarify the relationship between theories (ex. p. 9)
  • Using theory for both assessment and intervention planning is stressed (ex. p. 358)
  • Integrates the 2008 CSWE EPAS, with critical thinking questions and practice tests to assess student understanding of chapter content and development of competence. (ex. p. 260)

APPLY CSWE CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Explains why the core competencies are important
  • Includes a complete CSWE EPAS grid describing each of the 10 core competencies and practice behavior examples
  • Includes chapter-specific practice behavior coverage in the text
  • Includes complete core competency coverage by chapter in the text
  • Chapter opening grid highlighting the core competencies addressed throughout the chapter
  • Competency-based critical thinking questions tie to both competency application and chapter content
  • Ties to videos, cases, and assessment, including core competency based videos and assessment in MySearchLab

SUPPORT INSTRUCTORS

  • Strong Supplements Package: Instructor’s Manual and Test Bank, Computerized Test Bank (MyTest), Blackboard Test Item File, and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Create a Custom Text: For enrollments of at least 25, create your own textbook by combining chapters from best-selling Pearson textbooks and/or reading selections in the sequence you want.  To begin building your custom text, visit www.pearsoncustomlibrary.com. You may also work with a dedicated Pearson Custom editor to create your ideal text–publishing your own original content or mixing and matching Pearson content. Contact your Pearson Publisher’s Representative to get started.

 

2. Chapter-by-chapter changes

Chapter 1: Introduction

Explores the range and variety of theories utilized in social work
  • Presents grand, middle, and focal theories as maps that guide practice

    • Chapter 2: Foundations of Social Systems Theory

    Components of general systems theory, systems theory, ecological theory, and person-in-environment are compared and contrasted
  • Role theory and symbolic interaction provide a context for discussing normal behavior

    • Chapter 3: Social Systems and Social Work

    A new model of a Social Systems Cycle is presented
  • The Syntropic Phase, The Mature Phase, the Entropic Phase, and Regeneration are applied to social systems of different sizes

    • Chapter 4: Social Systems and Social Roles

    Role theory brings the abstract concepts of social systems theory one step closer to the practical demands of social workers
  • Common role problems and problem solving strategies are discussed

    • Chapter 5: Psychodynamic Theories

    The theories of analytic psychology, individual psychology, childhood attachment , and object relations have been added to this chapter
  • The tie between psychoanalytic theory and social systems theory is discussed as being both indirect and historical

    • Chapter 6:  Psychosocial Theory

    In addition to a discussion of each stage of the theory, developmental activities are also presented
  • The Jones family is used to illustrate each of the developmental stages

    • Chapter 7:  Behavioral Learning Theories

    The cognitive behavioral theory discussion has been expanded
  • The processes identified by Ellis, Beck and Seligman give promise of better models for understanding the person as a complex system in a shifting environment

    • Chapter 8: Cognitive and Humanistic Theories

    Person-centered theory has been added to this chapter
  • An explanation is provided on how each of the theories in the chapter contributes to the social systems perspective

    • Chapter 9: Family Theories

    The focus is on the development of family theory that employs the system paradigm
  • The family is characterized in each of the theories presented as a system of social roles

    • Chapter 10:  Group Theories

    Role theory in groups has been added to this chapter
  • The utilization of leadership theories in group work is discussed

    • Chapter 11: Organizational Theories

    Formal organizations are presented as both a special type of group, and as a social system
  • The processes by which formal organizations emerge as goal directed social systems are explained

    • Chapter 12:  Community Theories

    Two types of communities are discussed : geographic communities and communities of interest
  • These two systems are compared using examples of rural communities and the AIDS interest community

    • Chapter 13:   Theories Applied to Addiction

    This is a new chapter addressing a social phenomenon that cuts across all system levels
  • Varied models of addiction and drug use and their underlying theories are presented

    • Chapter 14:  Theories Applied to Violence

    This is a new chapter which presents a brief synopsis of some major approaches to interpersonal violence
  • As a system factor, violence is a destabilizing force in system functioning

    • Chapter 15:  Theories on Social Systems, Social Capital, and Diversity

    Cultural diversity is discussed from a social systems perspective
  • The theory of social capital is still in a developing stage, but it points us toward new realms and methods of social work practice

    • In this Section:

    1) Brief Table of Contents

    2) Full Table of Contents

     

     

    1) Brief Table of Contents  

     

    Chapter 1: Introduction

    Chapter 2: Foundations for Social Systems Theory

    Chapter 3: Social Systems and Social Work

    Chapter 4: Social Systems and Social Roles

    Chapter 5: Psychodynamic Theories

    Chapter 6: Psychosocial Theory

    Chapter 7: Behavioral Learning Theories

    Chapter 8: Cognitive and Humanistic Theories

    Chapter 9: Family Theories

    Chapter 10: Group Theories

    Chapter 11: Organizational Theories

    Chapter 12: Community Theories

    Chapter 13: Theories Applied to Addiction

    Chapter 14: Theories Applied to Violence

    Chapter 15: Theories Applied to Populations at Risk

     


    2) Full Table of Contents


     

    Chapter 1: Introduction

    Human Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice

    CSWE Core Competencies

    Generalist Practice

    Theory and Practice in Social Work: Connecting the Dots

    Theoretical Range

    Theories as Maps: Grand, Middle Range, and Focal Theories

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 2: The Foundations for Social Systems Theory

    The Nature of Theory

    Social Systems Perspective

    General Systems Theory

    Ecological Theory

    Generalist Social Work Practice and P.I.E.

    Functional Theory

    Symbolic Interactionism and Role Theory

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections


    Chapter 3: Social Systems and Social Work

    Social Systems in Generalist Practice

    Development of Social Systems

    Social Systems Cycle

    Social Systems Features

    Definitions of Social System Elements

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 4: Social Systems and Social Roles

    Systems Thinking, Role Theory and Generalist Practice

    Major Role Concepts

    Roles as Social Structures

    Role Dynamics

    Common Role Problems

    Role Problem Resolution Strategies

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 5:  Psychodynamic Theories

    Individual Theory: The First Wave

    Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Theory

    Theoretical Base of Analytical Psychology

    Theoretical Base of Individual Psychology

    Childhood Attachment Theory

    Object Relations Theory

    Neurosis and Striving

    The Sane Society

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 6:  Psychosocial Theory: A Social Systems Perspective

    Psychosocial

    Focus

    Assumptions

    Concepts

    The Biological Connection

    Infancy

    Post Infancy

    Preschool

    School

    Adolescence

    Early Adulthood

    Middle Adulthood

    Late Adulthood

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 7:  Behavioral Learning Theories

    Behavioral Learning Theory

    Focus

    Assumptions

    Concepts

    Social Learning Theory

    Cognitive Behavioral Theory

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 8:  Cognitive and Humanistic Theories

    Third Wave: Cognitive and Humanistic Theories

    Cognitive Development Theory

    Moral Development Theory

    Humanistic Theory

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 9:  Family Theories

    Families as Emergent Structures

    Structural Family Theory

    Family Systems Theory

    Societal Emotional Process

    Communications / Interactive Theory

    Family Homeostasis

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 10:  Group Theories

    Social Groups

    Collections, Categories, and the Social Group

    Collections of People

    Primary and Secondary Groups

    Natural and Rational Will

    Formed vs Natural Groups

    Task vs Treatment Groups

    Field Theory

    Exchange Theory

    Psychoanalytic Tavistock Groups

    Behavioral Group Theory

    Role Theroy in Groups

    Dimensions of Group Process

    In-Groups And Out-Groups: Boundaries and Identity Stages of Group Development

    Group Therapeutic Factors

    Group Leadership

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 11:  Organizational Theories

    Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft

    Organizational Theory and Practice

    Authority

    The Weberian Bureaucracy—The Rationalist Position

    Rationalist Position and Social Systems Theory

    The Human Relations Position

    Human Relations Position and Social Systems Theory

    The Dialectic

    Social Systems Theory: Emergence

    Social Systems Theory: Definitions for Organizations

    Social Systems Theory: Stages of Formal Organizations

    Social Systems Theory: Total Quality Management

    Theories X, Y, And Z

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 12:  Community Theories

    The Community: Traditonal Definitons

    The Evolving Community

    Traditional Geographic Community Theory

    The Ecological Position: Human Ecology

    Community Theorists

    The Community Power Position

    The Conflict Position

    The Community System Cycle

    Communities of Interest

    Stagnation and Emergence in Communities: Two Illustrations

    Rural Communities as Stagnant Systems

    Aids: A Community Of Interest      

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 13:  Theories Applied to Addiction

    Defining Addiction

    Measuring Addiction

    Toward a Theory of Addiction

    The Natural Mind

    The Psychiatric Model

    Existing Theories: A Sampler

    Assessing Addiction Theory and Treatment

    Effects of Interventions

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 14:  Theories Applied to Violence

    Violence in Social Systems Perspective

    Ethology and Violence

    Flight, Fight, or Freeze

    The Death Drive

    Violence as Social Deviance

    Violence as Crime

    Operant Learning

    Exchange Theory

    Social Learning

    Domestic Violence

    Bullying

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    Chapter 15  Theories on Social Systems, Social Capital, and Diversity

    Introduction

    Cultural Diversity

    Social Systems Theory

    Social Capital

    Conflict And Consensus

    Conflict, Religion, and Diversity

    Ethics and Cultural Diversity

    Summary

    Practice Test

    MySearchLab Connections

     

    References

    Index

    Orren Dale, PhD, received his MSSW from the University of Missouri, and his doctorate in Social Work Administration from Tulane University. He is currently licensed in clinical social work in both Texas and Oklahoma. Dale has extensive experience in social work education (teaching, administration, and field practicum) and accreditation at the undergraduate and graduate level. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate human behavior and practice classes.  His areas of expertise include workplace violence, addictions, human sexuality, and human behavior.

    Rebecca Smith, PhD, received her MSSW and PhD from the University of Texas at Arlington.  She is currently licensed in Texas.  She has extensive experience in social policy, social work administration and CSWE accreditation.  She teaches across the curriculum in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.  Her areas of expertise include social work education, social group work, Title IV-E, and human behavior.

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