Human Behavior Theory and Applications: A Critical Thinking Approach

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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Elizabeth DePoy is a professor at University of Maine School of Social Work where she has taught research and evaluation methods for 28 years. Her scholarship in social work focuses on methods of inquiry and particularly on integrating research, evaluation, and professional practice. She has co-authored 15 books and over 100 articles and presents her work locally through globally. Her most recent books include Branding and Designing Disability, and the 5th edition of Introduction to Research.  Stephen Gilson is professor at the University of Maine where he teaches human behavior in the social environment, diversity theory, and biology for social workers. His own work is informed by systematic inquiry and thus he is committed to the synthesis of practice and research within social work. Stephen has authored/coauthored 12 books and over 80 articles including Branding and Designing Disability and Evaluation Practice. He presents his work nationally and internationally. 

Review :
"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."