Dimensions of Human Behavior: The Changing Life Course

In this Fifth Edition of her acclaimed text, Elizabeth D. Hutchison uses her multidimensional framework (person, environment, and time) as a way to effectively organize human behavior theory course material in a meaningful way for students. Thoroughly updated to reflect recent developments in the field, the book provides a comprehensive and readable global perspective on the person and environment construct, weaving powerful case studies with recent innovations in theory and research. Examining both predictable and unpredictable changes that can impact human behavior across time, the book looks at all the major developmental stages ranging from conception through very late adulthood, and covers life stages that are often overlooked in other texts (such as very late adulthood).

Table of Contents:
Case Studies Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1: A Life Course Perspective A Definition of the Life Course Perspective Theoretical Roots of the Life Course Perspective Basic Concepts of the Life Course Perspective Major Themes of the Life Course Perspective Strengths and Limitations of the Life Course Perspective Integration With a Multidimensional, Multitheoretical Approach Chapter 2: Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth Sociocultural Organization of Childbearing Reproductive Genetics Control Over Conception and Pregnancy Fetal Development Pregnancy and the Life Course At-Risk Newborns Special Parent Populations Risk and Protective Factors in Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth Chapter 3: Infancy and Toddlerhood Developmental Niche and Typical Infant and Toddler Development Physical Development Cognitive Development Socioemotional Development The Role of Play Developmental Disruptions Child Care Arrangements in Infancy and Toddlerhood Infants and Toddlers in the Multigenerational Family Risks to Healthy Infant and Toddler Development Protective Factors in Infancy and Toddlerhood Chapter 4: Early Childhood Typical Development in Early Childhood Early Childhood Education Early Childhood in the Multigenerational Family Risks to Healthy Development in Early Childhood Protective Factors in Early Childhood Chapter 5: Middle Childhood Historical Perspective on Middle Childhood Middle Childhood in the Multigenerational Family Development in Middle Childhood Middle Childhood and Formal Schooling Special Challenges in Middle Childhood Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Middle Childhood Chapter 6: Adolescence The Social Construction of Adolescence Across Time and Space The Transition From Childhood to Adulthood Biological Aspects of Adolescence Psychological Aspects of Adolescence Social Aspects of Adolescence Adolescent Spirituality/Religiosity Adolescent Sexuality Potential Challenges to Adolescent Development Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Adolescence Chapter 7: Young Adulthood A Definition of Young Adulthood Theoretical Approaches to Young Adulthood Physical Functioning in Young Adulthood The Psychological Self Social Development and Social Functioning Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Young Adulthood Chapter 8: Middle Adulthood The Changing Social Construction of Middle Adulthood Theories of Middle Adulthood Biological Changes and Physical and Mental Health in Middle Adulthood Intellectual Changes in Middle Adulthood Personality Changes in Middle Adulthood Spiritual Development in Middle Adulthood Relationships in Middle Adulthood Work in Middle Adulthood Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Middle Adulthood Chapter 9: Late Adulthood Demographics of the Older Population Cultural Construction of Late Adulthood Psychosocial Theoretical Perspectives on Social Gerontology Biological Changes in Late Adulthood Psychological Changes in Late Adulthood Social Role Transitions and Life Events of Late Adulthood The Search for Personal Meaning Resources for Meeting the Needs of Elderly Persons Risk Factors and Protective Factors in Late Adulthood Chapter 10: Very Late Adulthood Very Late Adulthood: Charting New Territory Very Late Adulthood in Historical and Cultural Perspective What We Can Learn From Centenarians Functional Capacity in Very Late Adulthood Relationships in Very Late Adulthood The Housing Continuum Spirituality in Very Late Adulthood The Dying Process Loss, Grief, and Bereavement The Life Course Completed References Glossary Index About the Author About the Contributors

About the Author :
Elizabeth D. Hutchison, MSW, PhD, received her MSW from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and her PhD from the University at Albany, State University of New York. She was on the faculty in the Social Work Department at Elms College from 1980 to 1987 and served as chair of the department from 1982 to 1987. She was on the faculty in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1987 to 2009, where she taught courses in human behavior and the social environment, social work and social justice, and child and family policy; she also served as field practicum liaison. She has been a social worker in health, mental health, aging, and child and family welfare settings. She is committed to providing social workers with comprehensive, current, and useful frameworks for thinking about human behavior. Her other research interests focus on child and family welfare. She lives in Reno, Nevada, where she is a hands-on grandmother and an activist on local justice issues.

Review :
"Overall, I believe Elizabeth Hutchison has done an outstanding job in addressing the unique biopsychosocial aspects associated with each stage of development along the life course." -- David Skiba, Niagara University "The explicit focus on and reiteration of social work competencies throughout is particularly impressive and helps students preparing for licensure to draw concrete connections between the knowledge in the text and what they will be expected to know." -- Jamie Mitchell, Wayne State University "The use of cases and questions offered the connection to context that we were looking for." -- Gwenelle S. O'Neal, West Chester University "Great introductory textbook covering material related to Human Behavior in the Social Environment at an appropriate depth and breadth." -- Lisa M. Shannon, Morehead State University