Social Work Perspectives on Human Behaviour

"Although this book is primarily for social workers it has great relevance for all students and practitioners working with people. It deals with a wide range of fundamental theories which underpin behaviour in a clear and comprehensive manner."
Anne Mills, Bournemouth University, UK

"It's really nice to come across a social work textbook covering all the behaviour theories and their integration within different areas of social work in such detail."
Nell Abramczuk, Social Work Student, Bangor University, UK

"This is one of the best books on behavioural sciences for social workers I have seen for a long time. It is up to the usual high standard of OU texts."
Gavin Bissell, University of Bradford, UK

"This book could be used for a range of social work modules from professional studies looking at social work methods and theory through to enabling students on placement to link suitable theory to human behaviour. It is a highly considered and comprehensive book which I will be recommending to students."
Rhiannon Jones, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

"This is an excellent introduction that provides just the right depth and is well applied to practice. Although not flashy it is clearly laid out."
David Shaw, Buckinghamshire New University, UK

"I've only just skimmed this book but will be putting in on my reading list for next year and will recommend to undergraduate students who start this module next week. It's accessible to undergraduates, comprehensive and consistently makes realistic links to practice issues."
Mandy Hagan, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

The capacity to observe, interpret and understand human behaviour is vital for effective social work practice. By choosing to enter a profession that requires high levels of astute observation and listening skills in the interpretation of people's behaviour, social work students have undertaken a demanding task.

Using a bio-psychosocial framework, this fascinating book provides a wide basis of perspectives on human behaviour on which to build understanding of and responses to people’s behaviours, along with an enhanced appreciation of some of the circumstances that shape behaviour.

Margarete Parrish covers the key theories of human growth and development in the context of social relationships, providing a frame of reference from which to explore various aspects of human behaviour. This is particularly relevant to students' preparedness to practice social work with complex populations, addressing factors such as:

• Attachment
• Developmental status
• Context
• Diversity
• Trauma
• Oppression

By drawing from biological, psychological and sociological perspectives, the book aims to provide social work students with a theoretically informed basis to observe, understand, and interpret people's behaviours in ways that will contribute to excellent practice.

The book includes exercises, discussion questions and chapter summary points to help the reader further develop their understanding.

Social Work Perspectives on Human Behaviour is key reading for all social work students.