What is the study of human behavior in the social environment

< Go Back

Chair: Tonya Bibbs (Erikson Institute)
APM Assignment: 2017-2019

Co-chair: Tina Jordan (Bowie State University)
APM Assignment: 2017-2019

The Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) Track advances knowledge to guide decisions about what social workers need to do and how they should do it. The comprehensive knowledge base of human behavior serves as the glue that holds the multiple facets of social work practice together. This Track encourages submissions that reflect new understanding of the multidimensional influences on individual and collective behavior and that promote excellence in teaching HBSE content and its relevance to social work. Presentations discuss theory and research about biopsychosocial-spiritual aspects of human behavior and encourage innovations in theory and research. They discuss the effects of globalization, the relevance of culture and diversity of various forms, advances in understanding the biological aspects of human behavior, developmental risk and protective factors and processes, specific challenges of living encountered in social work practice, and systems of inequalities and mechanisms of oppression. There are also presentations on theory and research about effective pedagogy for teaching HBSE content.

Human behavior and the social environment (HBSE) courses in social work focus on the reciprocity between individuals and their social contexts; at the micro level, the curriculum explores human development across the life span. This was the format of volume 1, the companion text to HBSE, Macro Level. Our focus in this second volume is much broader, as the title implies. The dimension is macro/micro or the social environment which the individual inhabits and the impact of these surroundings, whether physical or political or spiritual on the individual, family, or group. Considerations of race, class and gender are paramount across the sweep of the subject matter covered in the book – the group, culture, community, social organization, and the natural and spiritual realms. The importance of the environmental context in shaping behavior is the overarching theme of this text and the critical thinking exercises, resource recommendations, and sample test questions provided in this instructor's manual reflect this fact. The critical thinking exercises have as their purpose the development of awareness of one's beliefs and attitudes toward social oppression in the society, especially of people with backgrounds that are diverse from those of the mainstream.

Consistent with the theoretical framework of HBSE, Macro Level, we present in this manual, a holistic model that encompasses mind, body, spirit, and environment. The biological portion of bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework takes as its focal point, the physical world of the air we breathe, the soil as a source of nourishment for plant and animal life, and the water that sustains the existence of all living things. Theoretically, ecosystems concepts direct our attention to interrelationships as between humans and the earth or the family and work or school. In addition, we draw on an empowerment perspective as we seek intervention strategies toward humanistic social change. Diverse and often contradictory theories about the causes and consequences of human behavior suggest diverse intervention strategies or even if any intervention to alter the status quo is called for. Should we seek sweeping structural change or endorse maintenance of the status quo? It is to such theories and such questions to which we now turn our attention in chapter 1–the theory chapter.

Compared to the first edition, this edition has elevated the concept of sustainability to the level of a key theme that links all the chapters. This includes attention to economic and social policy as well as environmental sustainability.  The argument that many policies are unsustainable is another usage of this concept that you will see in the pages of the book. Also you will find in the edition:

• many new boxed readings and photographs;
• updated academic references and government statistics;
• the replacement of theoretical designs with new models and designs;
• a heightened emphasis on ecosystems as opposed to general systems models;
• increased Latino/Latina content;
• that large sections of the theory, group dynamics, family, community, and environment chapters have been added or rewritten.

Chapter 1 Theoretical Perspectives

Chapter 2 The Social Psychology of Group Behavior

Chapter 3 The Small Group as a Social System

Chapter 4 Families in Society

Chapter 5 Culture and Society

Chapter 6 Community and Community Development

Chapter 7 Human Behavior and the Organizational Environment: The Community of Work

Chapter 8 Human Behavior and the Natural Environment: The Community of the Earth

Chapter 9 Human Behavior and the Religious/Spiritual Environment: The Community of Faith

In addition, comprehensive PowerPoint sets are available for instructors to download for both volumes. To access these resources, please email Mary Helen Turnage to obtain the username and password.

Once you have the necessary login information click here to enter the site.

 Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
Please send comments or suggestions about this Website to

What is the study of human social behavior?

Why study human behavior in the social environment?

What is the study of human behavior and their environment called?

What is social environment in psychology?