Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment [Hardcover]

Charles Zastrow (Author), Karen K. Kirst-Ashman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2006 | ISBN-10: 049500622X | ISBN-13: 978-0495006220 | Edition: 7

Help your students understand the mysteries of human behavior with Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman's text. Now available with a personalized online learning plan, this social work-specific book looks at lifespan through the lens of social work theory and practice. The authors use an empowerment approach to cover human development and behavior theories within the context of family, organizational, and community systems. Using a chronological lifespan approach, the authors present separate chapters on biological, psychological, and social impacts at the different lifespan stages with an emphasis on strengths and empowerment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Zastrow, MSW, Ph.D., is a professor in the MSW program at George Williams College in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. He previously taught in the Social Work Department of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Wisconsin, Dr. Zastrow has worked as a practitioner for various agencies, chaired social work accreditation site visit teams for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and served on the Commission on Accreditation of CSWE. He also is a member of the BPD board. A leader in social work education and a best-selling author, Dr. Zastrow has written four other textbooks: THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK, SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS, SOCIAL PROBLEMS: ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS, and UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT (with Dr. Karen Kirst-Ashman).

Karen K. Kirst-Ashman has been a full professor and former chairperson in the social work department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she has taught for 28 years. She has written six social work textbooks in multiple editions and numerous publications, articles, and reviews on social work and women?s issues. She also has served as a consulting editor on many social work journals. Dr. Kirst-Ashman was a board member of the CSWE from 1998 to 2001 and has served as a CSWE accreditation site visitor on various occasions. She is certified as a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Wisconsin and has been the recipient of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Roseman Award for Excellence in Teaching. She earned her BSW degree in 1972 and MSSW degree in 1973 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 704 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 7 edition (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 049500622X
• ISBN-13: 978-0495006220
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charles Zastrow, MSW, Ph.D., is a professor in the MSW program at George Williams College in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. He previously taught in the Social Work Department of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Wisconsin, Dr. Zastrow has worked as a practitioner for various agencies, chaired social work accreditation site visit teams for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and served on the Commission on Accreditation of CSWE. He also is a member of the BPD board. A leader in social work education and a best-selling author, Dr. Zastrow has written four other textbooks: THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK, SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS, SOCIAL PROBLEMS: ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS, and UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT (with Dr. Karen Kirst-Ashman).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Basic Textbook, June 13, 2011

By 

Pameli (Kaua'i, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (Hardcover)

Throughout my graduate school years beyond my Human Behavior and the Social Environment course, this book was a valuable resource when I had to research any phase of human behavior in the social environment from birth through death, or issues in the social environment such as diversity, (a codeword that I have come to dislike very much), empowerment (never quite grasped how a human services professional would be able to "endow" or "endue" another person with power), and sexual orientation. Throughout my social work career (if I ever get a job in that field), I will continue to use this textbook as a reference. It has a comprehensive bibliography.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, November 29, 2008

By 

C. Fischer (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (Hardcover)

I have used this book in so many papers!! Very clear and easy to understand! Useful in so many papers and with so many clients for a broader understanding of theories.

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so imformative, June 17, 2011

By 

charlie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (Hardcover)

Author of Pay Attention to the Red Flags written by Charlene Davis, MSW truly enjoy this book. I am a license social worker as well. This book has taught me so much about human growth and development in the social environment. I have encouraged others to purchase this great book. After a friend purchased this book, she said that she could not put it down. If you are in school, a social worker, or just want to learn more about life and behaviors, please, purchase this book. It is awesome.