Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work [Hardcover]

Susan P. Robbins (Author), Pranab Chatterjee (Author), Edward R. Canda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 26, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0205149200 | ISBN-13: 978-0205149209 | Edition: 1

This new book 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 book encourages readers 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 (Chapter 12). The book 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. Social workers, therapists, and psychologists.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This new book 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 book encourages readers 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 (Chapter 12). The book 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. Social workers, therapists, and psychologists.

About the Author

Susan P. Robbins, Ph.D., LCSW is an Associate Professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She received her MSW from the University of Minnesota and her Ph.D. from Tulane University. She is the lead author of two monographs on drug abuse prevention and has published several book chapters on drugs and drug abuse. She has been a contributing author to the Encyclopedia of Social Work and the Social Workers' Desk Reference on the topics of cults, satanic ritual abuse and recovered memory of abuse and has published numerous articles in professional journals.

 

Pranab Chatterjee received his undergraduate education from Viswa-Bharati University in West Bengal, India.  Subsequent to that, he received a master’s degree in social work from The University of Tennessee, another master’s degree in sociology from The University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in sociology from The University of Chicago.  He is currently Grace Longwell Coyle Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.  Over the years, he has published many papers and books in social work and social welfare. His latest book is A Story of Ambivalent Modernization in Bangladesh and West Bengal (2010). Other recent books by him include Repackaging the Welfare State (1999), and Approaches to the Welfare State (1996).

 

Edward R. Canda, M.A., MSW, Ph.D., is a Professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas. He has authored or co-authored 9 books and more than 100 articles, chapters, and other publications dealing with intersections of cultural diversity, spirituality, health, and disability in theory and practice. His most recent book is Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice, second edition (co-authored with Leola Dyrud Furman, Oxford University Press, 2010). Dr. Canda does extensive international research and teaching, especially in East Asia. He has a special interest in comparative cross-cultural studies of philosophies and theories of human behavior. Dr. Canda's website offers access to numerous related resources and links on these topics at www.socwel.ku.edu/canda.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 465 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 1 edition (November 26, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205149200
• ISBN-13: 978-0205149209
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective f, January 21, 2000

By 

Dona Reese (Grand Forks, ND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work (Hardcover)

This book pioneers in integrating theory about spiritual development into a human behavior text. In recent years the profession of social work has become aware of the importance of addressing spirituality with clients, but few social workers have been trained in formal theory about spiritual development. This book is one of the few which provides this content; thus it is a critical text for use in social work Human Behavior courses. The Council on Social Work Education has included spirituality in its latest curriculum guidelines, and this text provides a way to incorporate spirituality into social work education.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well worth the time, January 7, 2007

By 

litsa3 "litsa3" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book is an outstanding overview of a huge range of social theory/human behavior theory. It is true that some of the chapters are challenging, but I felt this was because the authors truly presented well-thought out, exhaustive synopses of each theory. This book not only was clear in presenting information about theories I was unfamiliar with in an effective way, but also presented interesting insights and great review of theories that I was already very familiar with. Considering how much is information is covered in this text density is to be expected, but it is well worth it!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking book, April 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work (Hardcover)

This is a truly comprehensive theory textbook that covers complex theories in a manner that makes them accessible to the reader. The authors are to be applauded for making a critical analysis of theory a central component of each chapter and for including theories that most other textbooks have ignored.