Human Behavior Theory: A Diversity Framework

As American society becomes increasingly diverse, social workers must use a variety of human behavior frameworks to understand their client's culturally complex concerns. This text applies specifi c human behavior theories to diversity practice. They show how human behavior theory can be employed in interventions in the life problems of diverse client populations at the individual, group, social network, and societal levels.

Several groups are examined. They include: minority groups; ethnic groups; women; older adults; members of certain social classes aff ected by economic and educational (dis)advantage, especially those living in poverty; people with developmental disabilities, people of varying sexual and gender orientations, and religious groups.

Case studies that illustrate social work practice in the area are highlighted. Th e case studies include Social Work Practice within a Diversity Framework; The Social Work Interview; Symbolic Interactionism: Social Work Assessment, Meaning, and Language; Erikson's Eight Stages of Development; Role Theory and Social Work Practice; A Constructionist Approach; Risk, Resilience and Resettlement; Addressing Diverse Family Forms; Small Group Theory; Natural Social Networks; Power Factors in Social Work Practice. This volume will be a fundament resource for practitioners and an essential tool for training.

Roberta R. Greene is the Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology and Social Welfare at the University of Texas at Austin. She has authored numerous books and journal articles dealing with the application of conceptual frameworks to social work practice. She is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Social Work Education.

Nancy Kropf is professor of social work at Georgia State University and Finance Committee Representative of the Gerontological Society of America. She is the co-author of Gerontological Social Work: Knowledge, Service Settings, and Special Populations and Essential Knowledge and Skills for Baccalaureate Social Work Students in Gerontology.