Human Relations : A Game Plan for Improving Personal Adjustment

by Ford, Loren

• ISBN13: 9780131832053
• ISBN10: 0131832050
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: PRENTICE HALL

Summary

Using group discussion, and reader activities, this interactive and user-friendly "workbook" teaches readers practical skills for dealing with everyday situations. It balances coverage of theoretical concepts and research with interesting personal stories, anecdotes, and case studies, and applies theoretical concepts throughout. The author's counseling background and sense of humor in dealing with serious subjects encourages readers to try new behaviors in a safe environment. Students are given opportunities for practicing new skills in improving human relations. The volume addresses all aspects of human relations including laying the foundation, self awareness, dealing with emotions, family influences, developing close relationships and human sexuality, as well as coping skills, life changes and positive living. For individuals interested in improving human relations.

Table of Contents

I. LAYING THE FOUNDATION.

1. Reaching Out.
2. Self Awareness.
3. Expanding Comfort Zones.

II. BUILDING TOGETHER.

4. Dealing with Emotions.
5. Family Influences.
6. Developing Close Relationships.
7. Human Sexuality.

III. MEETING THE WORLD.

8. Coping Skills.
9. Life Changes.
10. Positive Living.
Glossary.
Bibliography.

Excerpts

It has been over 10 years now since I first started work on this book. My initial effort was in many ways motivated by my desire to "walk the talk" and take on a personal challenge. In my course on human relations, I frequently ask students to expand their comfort zone and consider learning new behavior. I have always enjoyed telling stories and interacting with students in the classroom. Writing, though, was not an activity that I had a strong attraction to; but it represented an opportunity to take a risk, stretch my abilities, and gain self-discipline in the process. My students were the ones that encouraged me to write down my stories and lectures. Over the years, I have continued to receive feedback on how they think it is an interesting book and how they often pass it on to family and friends. It was my goal originally to provide a text that would reach out and grab people and get them intrigued with the possibilities of personal exploration. I continue to take it as a compliment that many students say that this is one of the books they are going to keep at the end of the term. With that encouragement, I am excited to be offering this third edition ofHuman Relations: A Game Plan for Improving Personal Adjustment.Although there have been some changes to the order of the content, and new concepts added, the emphasis and focus of the book remain the same. While providing the academic subjects that are necessary for a greater understanding of human relations, the content is presented, as much as possible, in an informal and personal manner. It is important to learn how current research applies to human interactions, yet most of us are concerned with how that research will improve the quality of our lives and lead to more satisfying relations with the people we care about and are close to. My intent is to make learning about and improving human relations enjoyable, yet there is also the part of the journey of self-exploration that requires presenting concepts that apply to serious, significant aspects of life. This book offers the opportunity to look at some of the areas of life where self-examination and needed changes may not always be easy. I try to balance that seriousness by maintaining a sense of humor, even while dealing with those subjects that are challenging. People often learn best when theory is combined with stories, examples, and humorous anecdotes from everyday life. Many people in the field of mental health believe that being well balanced means keeping things in perspective. As you explore the information offered, I hope you will keep the following in mind:Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused. There is always the temptation to include as much academic research and theory as possible, but I feel it is important to balance that with the expectations and needs of the students. I have sat through enough psychology classes to know what it is like to have an instructor teach a course on human behavior as if there were no human beings in the classroom. Therefore, I have tried to balance relevant research and theoretical concepts with interesting anecdotes, case studies, and discussion opportunities to actively engage students. And it is my students who have given me the opportunity to continue to grow and change.Human Relationsis my attempt to remind myself what it is that I know and yet sometimes forget. We all can use reminders, at times, of the lessons that we need to learn--and relearn. It is my students and this course that remind me that often, "We teach best what we most need to learn." Objectives of a Human Relations Course A human relations course should teach practical skills for dealing with everyday situations. Because we tend to learn and remember things that require active participation, this book is designed for a course that encourages personal involvement in the quest for sel