Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy
From schools to the workplace and from class structure to cultural diversity—all individuals function within complex social systems that shape them and are, in turn, shaped by them. This text introduces students to these broader social contexts within which human behavior occurs and how a community's physical and social settings may promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving personal health and well-being. Johnson uses seven basic theoretical perspectives as the frameworks to explore how clients are impacted by social institutions and social structures.

Keeping up to date with emerging societal trends and changing environmental contexts is important and Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment provides readers with the tools necessary to use their knowledge to provide appropriate interventions at all levels of practice, as well as promote social and economic justice. This book offers complex concepts in a simple format, allowing students to analyze the relationship between individuals and various systems, and better retain and apply their knowledge as they prepare to engage with clients and client systems.
1141458168
Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy
From schools to the workplace and from class structure to cultural diversity—all individuals function within complex social systems that shape them and are, in turn, shaped by them. This text introduces students to these broader social contexts within which human behavior occurs and how a community's physical and social settings may promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving personal health and well-being. Johnson uses seven basic theoretical perspectives as the frameworks to explore how clients are impacted by social institutions and social structures.

Keeping up to date with emerging societal trends and changing environmental contexts is important and Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment provides readers with the tools necessary to use their knowledge to provide appropriate interventions at all levels of practice, as well as promote social and economic justice. This book offers complex concepts in a simple format, allowing students to analyze the relationship between individuals and various systems, and better retain and apply their knowledge as they prepare to engage with clients and client systems.
85.99 In Stock
Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy

Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy

by Miriam McNown Johnson
Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy

Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy

by Miriam McNown Johnson

Paperback(4th ed.)

$85.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

From schools to the workplace and from class structure to cultural diversity—all individuals function within complex social systems that shape them and are, in turn, shaped by them. This text introduces students to these broader social contexts within which human behavior occurs and how a community's physical and social settings may promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving personal health and well-being. Johnson uses seven basic theoretical perspectives as the frameworks to explore how clients are impacted by social institutions and social structures.

Keeping up to date with emerging societal trends and changing environmental contexts is important and Human Behavior and the Larger Social Environment provides readers with the tools necessary to use their knowledge to provide appropriate interventions at all levels of practice, as well as promote social and economic justice. This book offers complex concepts in a simple format, allowing students to analyze the relationship between individuals and various systems, and better retain and apply their knowledge as they prepare to engage with clients and client systems.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780197575543
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 06/15/2022
Edition description: 4th ed.
Pages: 544
Product dimensions: 9.12(w) x 6.17(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

Miriam McNown Johnson (MS in Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin Madison; MSW, PhD, University of Alabama), is Professor Emerita for Academic and Student Affairs at the College of Social Work, University of South Carolina.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition xiii

Part I Conceptual Frameworks

1 Introduction to Perspectives and Theories 3

Where We Begin 3

Shifting Perspectives in Social Work 5

Perspectives Used in This Text 6

The Ecosystems Perspective 7

The Functionalist Perspective 8

The Conflict Perspective 9

The Rational/Social Exchange Perspective 10

The Social Constructionist Perspective 11

The Diversity Perspective 11

The Strengths Perspective 12

How Theory Informs Practice 12

References 16

Part II Social Institutions

2 Politics and the Economy 19

The Political System 20

Issues and Trends in the Political System 20

Understanding the Political System in the United States 45

The Impact of the Political System on Individuals and Families 46

Social Work and Politics 47

The Economic System 49

Issues and Trends in the Economic System 51

Understanding the Economic System 62

The Impact of the Economic System on Individuals and Families 64

Social Work and the Economy 65

Politics and the Economy Together: The Political Economy 66

The Power of Organizations 66

Government Spending 69

Inequities in Government Benefits 70

Recommended Reading 71

References 72

3 Government-Related Social Institutions 85

Law Enforcement and Criminal justice 86

Issues and Trends in Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System 87

Understanding the Criminal Justice System 102

Relationship of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System to Politics and the Economy 104

The Impact of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System on Individuals and Families 106

Social Work and the Criminal Justice System 112

Education 113

Issues and Trends in Education 113

Understanding the Education System 125

The Impact of the Education System on Individuals and Families 127

Social Work and the Education System 131

Looking Ahead 131

Recommended Reading 132

References 132

4 Non-Government-Related Social Institutions 145

Mass Media, Social Media, and the Internet 147

Issues and Trends in Mass Media, Social Media, and the Internet 148

Understanding Mass Media, Social Media, and the Internet 165

Relationship of Mass Media, Social Media, and the Internet to Politics and the Economy 166

The Impact of Mass Media, Social Media, and the Internet on Individuals and Families 168

Social Work, Social Media, and the Internet 171

Health Care 171

A Brief Review of the Status of Health Care Policy in the United States 171

Issues and Trends in Health Care 173

The COVID-19 Pandemic, Public Health, and Partisan Resistance 175

Understanding the Health Care System 186

Relationship of the Health Care System to Politics and the Economy 187

The Impact of the Health Care System on Individuals and Families 188

The Role of Social Workers in Health and Mental Health Care 188

Religion 189

Issues and Trends in Religion 192

Understanding Religion 193

The Relationship between Religion and Politics 194

The Impact of Religion on Individuals and Families 197

Social Work and Religion 201

Looking Ahead 202

Recommended Reading 202

References 202

Part III Social Structure in American Society

5 Social Stratification: Income, Wealth, and Poverty in the United States 221

Defining Social Class 221

Categories of Social Classes 222

The Distribution of Income and Wealth 223

Income 223

Wealth 225

Poverty and the Working Poor 227

Government Benefits 231

Social Mobility 233

Understanding Social Stratification 235

Life at the Top and at the Bottom 236

The Lives of the Very Wealthy 236

The Lives of the Poor and Near Poor 237

Social Work and Issues of Poverty 242

Homelessness 242

Economic Justice 243

Addressing Poverty and Closing the Wealth Gap 243

Looking Ahead 245

Recommended Reading 245

References 245

6 Cultural Diversity: Race and Ethnicity in the United States 251

Defining Culture 251

The United States as a Multicultural Society 252

Understanding Racial and Ethnic Inequity: Perspectives and Theories 262

Racial and Ethnic Groups in American Society 266

African Americans 266

Arab Americans and American Muslims 272

Asian Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, and South Asians 275

Latinos/as 281

Native Americans 286

White Ethnics and Jews 294

White "Mainstream" Culture 298

Social Work and Racial and Ethnic Diversity 306

Looking Ahead 307

Recommended Reading 307

References 307

7 Other Social Status Groups 321

Social Status 322

Gender 323

Understanding Social Stratification and Gender 324

American Society and the Experience of Inequity Related to Gender 325

Men and Gendered Expectations 335

Gender Around the World 336

Feminism 337

Social Work and Gender 337

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 337

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as Community and Culture 340

Understanding Social Stratification and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 340

American Society and the Experience of Inequity Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 341

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in a Global Context 349

Social Work and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 350

Disability 350

Disability as Community and Culture 354

Understanding Social Stratification and Disability 356

American Society and the Experience of Inequity Related to Disability 357

Disability in a Global Context 360

Looking Ahead 361

Recommended Reading 361

References 361

Part IV Social Settings

8 Communities, Neighborhoods, and the Physical Environment 373

Defining Community 374

Types of Locational Communities 374

Issues and Trends in Communities 376

The Growth of Cities 376

The Minority Urban Experience 377

Reviving Blighted Neighborhoods and Reducing Gun Violence 379

Suburbs 380

Segregation by Race and Ethnicity 382

Segregation by Class 387

Rural Communities 389

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities 392

Climate Change and Communities 393

Understanding Locational Communities 394

The Impact of Communities on Individuals and Families 401

How Communities Deter Well-Being 401

How Communities Promote Well-Being 405

Social Work and Communities 406

Looking Ahead 408

Recommended Reading 408

References 408

9 Organizations 419

Defining Organizations 420

Types of Organizations 421

Issues and Trends in Utilitarian Organizations 422

Corporations as People 422

Technology and Working Remotely 423

Accountability 425

Criticism of Affirmative Action 425

Understanding Utilitarian Organizations 426

Ecosystems Perspective 426

Functionalist Perspective 427

Conflict Perspective 428

Rational/Social Exchange Perspective 429

Constructionist Perspective 431

Diversity in Utilitarian Organizations 433

The Impact of Utilitarian Organizations on Individuals and Families 434

How Organizations Deter Well-Being 434

How Organizations Promote Well-Being 441

Residential Institutions as Coercive Organizations 441

A Brief History of Institutions 442

Issues and Trends in Institutions 444

Nursing Homes (Skilled Nursing Facilities) 444

Mental Health Facilities 445

Understanding Institutions 446

The Impact of Institutions on Individuals and Families 449

How Institutions Deter Well-Being 449

How Institutions Promote Well-Being 450

Social Work and Organizations 450

Recommended Reading 451

References 451

Part V Collective Action for Social Change and Final Thoughts

10 Collective Action and Social Change 463

Advocating for Social Change 463

The Power of Collective Action: Labor Unions 464

Social Movements 465

Types of Social Movements 466

Stages in Social Movements 467

Availability of Elite Allies 469

Understanding Social Movements 470

Why People Join Social Movements 472

Social Movements in the United States 472

Strategies and Tactics 477

Social Work and Social Movements 479

Recommended Reading 480

References 481

Final Thoughts 485

References 487

Index 489

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews