UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, 11th Edition, looks at the lifespan through the lens of social work theory and practice, covering human development and behavior theories within the context of individual, family, group, organizational, and community systems. Using a chronological lifespan approach, the book presents separate chapters on biological, psychological, and social impacts at the different lifespan stages with an emphasis on strengths and empowerment. Part of the Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series, this edition is up to date and thoroughly integrates the core competencies and recommended behaviors outlined in the current Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

1. Introduction to Human Behavior and the Social Environment.
Part I: INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD.
2. Biological Development in Infancy and Childhood.
3. Psychological Development in Infancy and Childhood.
4. Social Development in Infancy and Childhood.
5. Ethnocentrism and Racism.
Part II: ADOLESCENCE.
6. Biological Development in Adolescence.
7. Psychological Development in Adolescence.
8. Social Development in Adolescence.
9. Gender, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sexism.
Part III: YOUNG AND MIDDLE ADULTHOOD.
10. Biological Aspects of Young and Middle Adulthood.
11. Psychological Aspects of Young and Middle Adulthood.
12. Sociological Aspects of Young and Middle Adulthood.
13. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Part IV: LATER ADULTHOOD.
14. Biological Aspects of Later Adulthood.
15. Psychological Aspects of Later Adulthood.

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, 11th Edition, looks at the lifespan through the lens of social work theory and practice, covering human development and behavior theories within the context of individual, family, group, organizational, and community systems. Using a chronological lifespan approach, the book presents separate chapters on biological, psychological, and social impacts at the different lifespan stages with an emphasis on strengths and empowerment. Part of the Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series, this edition is up to date and thoroughly integrates the core competencies and recommended behaviors outlined in the current Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Material on the importance of the "natural environment" and "environmental justice" in the practice of social work has been added in Chapter 1. New material on trauma informed care appears in Chapter 4. The book emphasizes the theory that the strengths perspective is the key to improving the lives of others. Material on cyberbullying (Chapter 8), sex trafficking (Chapter 8), and stalking (Chapter 9) has been added. New material on transgender persons, gender identify, and violence against LGBT people appears in Chapter 13. This edition includes substantial material in Chapter 14 on the importance of social workers using self-care strategies. (These self-care strategies are also the strategies that social workers need to convey to their clients so that clients can improve their psychological, emotional, physical, and social well-being.) The book presents a vast array of theories and research that seek to explain and describe human development and behavior, focusing on individual functioning within systems of various sizes (including families, groups, organizations, and communities). Diversity material is covered in "Spotlight on Diversity" boxes and within the text narrative. Topics include cultural content and parenting style, educational programming that responds to cultural values, child physical abuse versus discipline in diverse cultural contexts, cross-cultural perspectives on gender role development, cross-cultural research on centenarians, and NASW's standards for culturally competent practice in social work. Charts highlight diversity content and mezzo/macro systems to help students spot important integrated material. A life-span approach allows for a description of human growth and development from conception through adulthood, including normal developmental tasks and milestones for each age group.