Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work

by Robbins, Susan P.; Chatterjee, Pranab; Canda, Edward R.

• ISBN13: 9780205149209
• ISBN10: 0205149200
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This new HBSE text is the first to approach the subject from a comparative theory perspective, including coverage of contemporary knowledge theories as well as traditional theories. A consistent framework for analysis is provided for all of the theoretical systems that are covered. This text encourages students to develop critical thinking skills in analyzing and comparing theories, and includes contemporary developments in traditional lifespan theory, theories of political economy, and a separate chapter on transpersonal theory (Ch. 12). The text includes explicit content on spirituality, oppression, and social justice. Each chapter includes coverage of the research that supports a particular theory, as well as an analysis of the validity of that research; each chapter also includes a discussion of Contemporary Issues. The last chapter, Chapter 13, provides a case example demonstrating how the various theories can be applied to a single case.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD	xi	(2)
PREFACE	xiii	(1)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	xiv
CHAPTER 1 THE NATURE OF THEORIES	1	(24)
Organization of the Book and Rationale for Selection of Theories	2	(1)
Why Study Theories of Human Behavior?	3	(2)
Theories: What Are They?	5	(1)
The Social Construction of Theories	6	(1)
Ideology, Scientific Theory, and Social Work Practice	7	(5)
Determinism and Reductionism: A Problem of Social Construction	12	(1)
Theories: Application to Practice	13	(2)
Critical Analysis of Theory: The Missing Dimension	15	(8)
Summary	23	(2)
CHAPTER 2 SYSTEMS THEORY	25	(36)
Historical Context	26	(1)
Key Concepts	27	(2)
Structural Functionalism	29	(3)
The Ecological Perspective	32	(3)
Dynamic Systems Theory	35	(10)
Deep Ecology	45	(1)
Contemporary Issues	46	(2)
Application to Social Work Practice	48	(4)
Critical Analysis	52	(4)
Consistency with Social Work Values	56	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	57	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	58	(1)
Summary	59	(2)
CHAPTER 3 CONFLICT THEORIES	61	(28)
Historical Context	62	(1)
Key Concepts	62	(2)
Class Conflict	64	(3)
Roads from Marx	67	(10)
Contemporary Issues	77	(1)
Application to Social Work Practice	78	(4)
Critical Analysis	82	(2)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	84	(2)
Philosophical Underpinnings	86	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	87	(1)
Summary	88	(1)
CHAPTER 4 THEORIES OF EMPOWERMENT	89	(29)
Historical Context	90	(1)
Key Concepts	91	(1)
Stratification, Oppression, and Inequality: The Sociopolitical Context of Empowerment Theories	91	(3)
Feminist Theory	94	(5)
Lesbian and Gay Empowerment Theories	99	(3)
Social Work Empowerment Theories	102	(4)
Contemporary Issues	106	(1)
Application to Social Work Practice	106	(6)
Critical Analysis	112	(2)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	114	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	115	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	116	(1)
Summary	117	(1)
CHAPTER 5 THEORIES OF ASSIMILATION, ACCULTURATION, AND BICULTURAL SOCIALIZATION	118	(33)
Historical Context	119	(3)
Key Concepts	122	(3)
Deficiency Theory	125	(2)
The Dual Perspective	127	(1)
Bicultural Socialization	128	(2)
Ethnic Identity	130	(1)
A Multidimensional Transactional Model of Bicultural Identity	131	(9)
Transculturality	140	(1)
Contemporary Issues	141	(2)
Application to Social Work Practice	143	(3)
Critical Analysis	146	(2)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	148	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	149	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	149	(1)
Summary	150	(1)
CHAPTER 6 PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY	151	(37)
Historical Context	152	(1)
Key Concepts	152	(1)
Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalysis	153	(6)
Roads from Freud	159	(4)
The Freudian Mainstream	163	(8)
The Freudian Left	171	(3)
Contemporary Issues	174	(3)
Application to Social Work Practice	177	(4)
Critical Analysis	181	(1)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	182	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	183	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	184	(2)
Summary	186	(2)
CHAPTER 7 THEORIES OF LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT	188	(43)
Historical Context	189	(1)
Key Concepts	189	(2)
Theoretical Knowledge about Physical Development	191	(1)
Theories of Psychosocial Development: The Life Span Approach	191	(11)
Roads from Erikson	202	(1)
Theories of Midlife Development	203	(5)
Life Span Development and Late Adulthood	208	(3)
Life Span Development of Women	211	(3)
Gay and Lesbian Development	214	(5)
Stage Theories: Popularity versus Validity	219	(2)
Contemporary Issues	221	(1)
Application to Social Work Practice	222	(3)
Critical Analysis	225	(2)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	227	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	228	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	229	(1)
Summary	230	(1)
CHAPTER 8 THEORIES OF COGNITIVE AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT	231	(36)
Historical Context	232	(1)
Cognitive Development	233	(11)
Moral Development	244	(10)
Contemporary Issues	254	(2)
Application to Social Work Practice	256	(3)
Critical Analysis	259	(2)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	261	(2)
Philosophical Underpinnings	263	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	263	(3)
Summary	266	(1)
CHAPTER 9 SYMBOLIC INTERACTION	267	(28)
Historical Context	268	(1)
Key Concepts	268	(2)
The Chicago School and Early Interactionism	270	(4)
Roads from Mead	274	(6)
Role Theory, Reference Groups, and Socialization through the Life Cycle	280	(4)
Contemporary Issues	284	(1)
Application to Social Work Practice	285	(4)
Critical Analysis	289	(2)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	291	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	292	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	292	(1)
Summary	293	(2)
CHAPTER 10 PHENOMENOLOGY, SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONISM, AND HERMENEUTICS	295	(26)
Historical Context	296	(2)
Key Concepts	298	(2)
Roads from Schutz	300	(11)
Contemporary Issues	311	(1)
Application to Social Work Practice	312	(4)
Critical Analysis	316	(1)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	317	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	318	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	318	(2)
Summary	320	(1)
CHAPTER 11 BEHAVIORISM, SOCIAL LEARNING, AND EXCHANGE THEORY	321	(38)
Behaviorism	322	(5)
Social Learning Theory	327	(9)
Exchange Theory	336	(7)
Contemporary Issues	343	(2)
Application to Social Work Practice	345	(4)
Critical Analysis	349	(3)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	352	(2)
Philosophical Underpinnings	354	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	355	(2)
Summary	357	(2)
CHAPTER 12 TRANSPERSONAL THEORY	359	(35)
Historical Context	360	(1)
Key Concepts	361	(1)
Transpersonal Theories	362	(20)
Contemporary Issues	382	(1)
Application to Social Work Practice	382	(5)
Critical Analysis	387	(3)
Consistency with Social Work Values and Ethics	390	(1)
Philosophical Underpinnings	391	(1)
Methodological Issues and Empirical Support	392	(1)
Summary	393	(1)
CHAPTER 13 APPLICATION OF THEORIES	394	(23)
Alternative Approaches to Theory Selection	395	(1)
"Measuring Up" to the Themes for Critical Reflection on Theories	396	(3)
Person-Focused Theories	399	(1)
Environment-Focused Theories	399	(5)
Eleven Great Ideas	404	(5)
An Example of Integrating Theories for a Practice Issue	409	(5)
Roads from Here: Future Possibilities and Challenges for Innovation in Human Behavior Theory	414	(3)
REFERENCES	417	(31)
DISCOGRAPHY	448	(1)
AUTHOR INDEX	449	(8)
SUBJECT INDEX	457