Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Perspectives on Development and the Life Course

by Anissa Rogers

Overview

Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Perspectives on Development and the Life Course returns for a seventh edition to provide students with an expansive overview of the major theories and issues related to human behavior and the social environment that are important to understand for professional practice across a variety of cases and contexts.

Maintaining its clarity and cohesion, this edition has been updated to offer students current and relevant information on important topics in social work practice and expanded to help students understand the complexity of the issues they will face in the field, including how poverty, diversity, and strengths affect human development and behavior. Several new theoretical perspectives appear in this update, including indigenous theory, new feminism, and restorative justice, and these additions complement the major psychological, sociological, life course, and anti-oppressive theories that have come to define this book’s grounded and balanced coverage.

Illustrated and fully supported by a set of Quick Guides for students engaged in field work, vignettes woven throughout the book, and a full package of interactive cases and instructor-led resources that are available on www.routledgesw.com, the new edition of Human Behavior in the Social Environment is a perfect complement to this foundation course on the undergraduate and graduate level. Its signature theoretical framework equips students to have a well-rounded understanding to call upon and apply to the myriad client problems and situations they will need to practice social work. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032799643
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/06/2025
Series:	New Directions in Social Work
Edition description:	7th ed.
Pages:	582
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Anissa Taun Rogers is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years of higher education experience. She currently serves as Professor in the Department of Social Work at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. She is also chair of the MSW program. She has served as the director of the Social Work Program and as the chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and co-director of Gender and Women Studies at the University of Portland and Associate Dean of the Palm Desert Campus of California State University, San Bernardino.

Table of Contents

1. Human Behavior and the Social Work Profession  2. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: The Person in the Environment  3. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Biopsychosocial Dimensions  4. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Sociocultural Dimensions  5. Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Social Change Dimensions  6. Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Issues  7. Development in Infancy and Early Childhood  8. Development in Middle Childhood  9. Development in Adolescence  10. Development in Early Adulthood  11. Development in Middle Adulthood  12. Development in Late Adulthood  13. Looking Forward: Challenges and Opportunities for the Social Work Profession 

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"I selected the Rogers book for my class after carefully reviewing nearly a dozen alternatives. The book strikes a nice balance between breadth and depth, allowing me to add supplemental readings without overwhelming students with too much content. My students find the book engaging and they like the use of case examples at the start of each chapter. I recommend this text to colleagues."

—Paul T. Shattuck, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis

"Anissa Rogers’ Human Behavior in the Social Environment is an accessible and practical theory text. The case studies and practice examples, both in the book and on-line, provide students with meaningful insight into the use of theory in realistic social work practice settings. The text also provides students with regular opportunities to develop their critical thinking skills, including a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of each theory and application questions for students to engage at the end of each chapter."

—Christie Halvor, Social Work, Concordia University

"Bravo for Rogers’ highly readable, comprehensive exploration of human behavior, where lifespan and theory meet practice! Rich cases within the text and interactive website facilitate critical thinking, as students apply and critique assessments and leading edge interventions through the lens of a broad array of traditional and contemporary theoretical perspectives."

—Teri Kennedy, Director, Office of Gerontological Social Work Initiatives, Arizona State University

"Dr. Rogers introduces theory in a matter students understand, and can apply in the field. Students find the case studies invaluable, as they challenge and capture some components of the core competencies, such as, critical thinking, diversity, theoretical frameworks, and assessment. The online resources accompanying the textbook are also excellent tools I have used in the classroom."

—Belinda Bruster, Social Work, Florida Gulf Coast University

Editorial Reviews

Human Behavior in the Social Environment is a comprehensive and well-researched text which covers the theories and perspectives on development across the lifespan. In an ever-evolving field, the author painstakingly addresses these changes to make the text relevant and timely. A must-have textbook for any Human Development course! Pamela Clary, PhD, LCSW, LSCSW, BSW Program Director and Associate Professor, Missouri Western State University

In my experience, my students deeply engage with Anissa Taun Rogers’ Human Behavior in the Social Environment textbook. In particular, they often find that the case studies help to bring the content alive! The cases are introduced at the beginning of each chapter, and then revisited throughout after ‘bite-sized’ pieces of information have been presented. This on-going application of theoretical or life-span material helps the student consider accessible amounts of information in light of the case. As faculty, I find that this can be revisited in class discussions and small group exercises to reinforce their understanding, vocabulary development, and confidence in applying complex ideas.
Hope Haslam Straughan, PhD, MSW, ACSW, Clinical Associate Professor and Human Behavior Coordinator, Boston University School of Social Work

Dr. Rogers’ book Human Behavior in the Social Environment offers students very imperative theoretical and practical knowledge on human development and behavior throughout the life course. The book presents vital information on the interplay between persons and their social environment, and it effectively demonstrates how these interactions are both interconnected and interdependent. The text offers very useful supporting materials and special cases that facilitate the learning and development of students experientially. This combination of resources provides students with an opportunity to learn in action, thus solidifying best practice and empowering them to use critical thinking frameworks to inform and guide their eventual practice with clients.
Hope Attipoe, PhD, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Savannah State University

From the Publisher