Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice

Second Edition
Terry L. (Lea) Koenig - University of Kansas, USA
John B. Thompson - Dordt University, USA
Richard (Rick) N. Spano - University of Kansas, USA
Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice
December 2025 | 520 pages | Sage US
Create Flyer

If you’re in the Americas, please visit our Sage College Publishing website to purchase or sample this book:

Go to College Publishing Website

Description

Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice offers an in-depth exploration of human behavior theory and helps students connect each theory to social work practice. Instead of following the traditional lifespan approach, the book introduces key theories and shows how they apply to case examples across different life stages. With insights from years in social work practice, Terry Koenig, John Thompson, and Rick Spano share case examples that encourage students to engage deeply with ideas and respond to challenges with clarity and care. The new Second Edition addresses all three levels of practice, with a strong emphasis on neuroscience and ethics, and provides a comprehensive foundation into the history of the profession, equipping students to think critically, act ethically, and grow into reflective practitioners.

Contents

Preface

Preface

About the Authors

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Theory and Its Application to Social Work Practice
  • How This Book Is Organized
  • Chapter Summaries
  • Theory and Science
  • Does Theory Really Matter? Theory Myth Busters
  • The Interactive Abstract/Concrete Continuum
  • Meta-Theories as Overarching Theories: Their Contributions to Practice
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 2: Critique of Theory for Use in Social Work Practice
  • Introduction to Analysis and Critique of Theory
  • What Does This Theory Say About Human Behavior?
  • How Does This Theory Address Growth and Change?
  • How Holistic Is This Theory?
  • How Consistent Is This Theory With Social Work Values and Ethics?
  • What Are the Sources of Knowledge That Support This Theory?
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 3: Contextualizing Human Behavior Theory
  • Rationale for the Chapter
  • Assumptions Regarding Our Discussion of HBSE Theories and Their Connection to Practice
  • Defining Historical Context
  • Application of Historical Context Framework
  • Historical Context Questions Applied to the Late 1800s to 1920
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 4: Critical Theories
  • Critical Theories and Their Roots in Marxism
  • Broad and Narrow Definitions of Critical Theory
  • Key Themes in Critical Theory and Its Development
  • Three Branches of Critical Theory: Feminist Criticism, Critical Race Theory, and Queer Theory
  • In-Depth: Paulo Freire (1921–1997)
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of Critical Theories to Social Work
  • Environmental Conditions
  • Classroom Exercises: The Application of Critical Theory to Social Work Practice Examples
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 5: Psychodynamic Theory
  • Brief Introduction to Freudian Ideas
  • Key Conceptual Elements of Freud
  • Psychodynamic Theories’ Early Influences on Social Work Practice
  • Extensions of Psychodynamic Theory
  • In-Depth: Otto Rank
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of Psychodynamic Theory
  • The Application of Psychodynamic Theory to Case Examples
  • Connections to Usefulness in Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 6: Systems Theories
  • Introduction to Systems Theories
  • In-Depth Exploration of Systems Theories as Applied to Social Work Practice
  • Social Work Frame of Reference Based on Systems Theory
  • Current Conceptualization of the Life Model
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of the Life Model to Social Work Practice: Eco-Maps, Genograms, and Beyond
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 7: Environmental and Ecological Theory in Social Work
  • Connecting Social Work With the Natural Environment
  • Is Environmental Thought New?
  • Environmental Ethics
  • In-Depth: Arne Naess and Deep Ecology
  • Critique of Environmental and Ecological Theory
  • Social Work’s Historical Relationship With the Natural Environment
  • Social Work and the Natural Environment: Current Developments
  • Summary of Social Work and the Natural Environment
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 8: Life Span Theories, Family Life Course Perspectives, and Historical Trauma
  • Overview of Life Span Theories
  • Advances Beyond Erikson
  • In-Depth: Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart and Venida S. Chenault
  • Critique of Life Span Theories and Beyond
  • Introduction to Social Work’s Understanding of Life Span Theory
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 9: Symbolic Interactionism
  • Overview and In-Depth Examination of George H. Mead
  • Critique of Symbolic Interactionism
  • Application of Symbolic Interactionism Theory to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 10: Behavior Theory, the Cognitive Turn, and the Influence of Mindfulness
  • Introduction and History of Behaviorism
  • Behavior Theory and Three Generations of Behavior Therapy
  • The Cognitive Turn and the First Generation of Behavior Therapies
  • Cognition and Second-Generation Behavioral Therapies
  • Third-Generation Behavior Therapies
  • In-Depth: Mindfulness East and West
  • Critique of Behavior Theory and Behavior Therapies
  • Application of Behaviorism to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 11: Theories of Culture and White Privilege
  • Critical Consciousness for Ourselves and Our Clients
  • Anti-racism, White Privilege, and White Identity Development
  • Helms’s White Identity Development Model
  • Praxis as Action-Awareness-Reflection-Dialogue
  • In-Depth Theorist: Kimberlé Crenshaw and Intersectionality
  • Critique of Theories of Culture, White Privilege, Diversity, and Intersectionality
  • Application and Development of Diversity in Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 12: Empowerment Theory and the Strengths Perspective
  • Historical Context for Empowerment Theory
  • Key Themes in Empowerment Theory
  • Positive Psychology
  • In-Depth Theorists for the Strengths Perspective
  • Critique of Empowerment Theory and the Strengths Perspective
  • Application of the Strengths Perspective
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 13: Cognitive and Moral Development Theories
  • Piaget and Cognitive Development
  • From Cognitive to Moral Development Theory
  • The Emergence of Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory
  • Extensions From Piaget and Kohlberg
  • Current Trends in Moral Development
  • In-Depth: Carol Gilligan, Women’s Moral Development and Beyond
  • Critique of Cognitive and Moral Development Theories
  • Application of Cognitive and Moral Development Theories to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Additional materials

Description

Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice offers an in-depth exploration of human behavior theory and helps students connect each theory to social work practice. Instead of following the traditional lifespan approach, the book introduces key theories and shows how they apply to case examples across different life stages. With insights from years in social work practice, Terry Koenig, John Thompson, and Rick Spano share case examples that encourage students to engage deeply with ideas and respond to challenges with clarity and care. The new Second Edition addresses all three levels of practice, with a strong emphasis on neuroscience and ethics, and provides a comprehensive foundation into the history of the profession, equipping students to think critically, act ethically, and grow into reflective practitioners.

Contents

Preface

Preface

About the Authors

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Theory and Its Application to Social Work Practice
  • How This Book Is Organized
  • Chapter Summaries
  • Theory and Science
  • Does Theory Really Matter? Theory Myth Busters
  • The Interactive Abstract/Concrete Continuum
  • Meta-Theories as Overarching Theories: Their Contributions to Practice
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 2: Critique of Theory for Use in Social Work Practice
  • Introduction to Analysis and Critique of Theory
  • What Does This Theory Say About Human Behavior?
  • How Does This Theory Address Growth and Change?
  • How Holistic Is This Theory?
  • How Consistent Is This Theory With Social Work Values and Ethics?
  • What Are the Sources of Knowledge That Support This Theory?
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 3: Contextualizing Human Behavior Theory
  • Rationale for the Chapter
  • Assumptions Regarding Our Discussion of HBSE Theories and Their Connection to Practice
  • Defining Historical Context
  • Application of Historical Context Framework
  • Historical Context Questions Applied to the Late 1800s to 1920
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 4: Critical Theories
  • Critical Theories and Their Roots in Marxism
  • Broad and Narrow Definitions of Critical Theory
  • Key Themes in Critical Theory and Its Development
  • Three Branches of Critical Theory: Feminist Criticism, Critical Race Theory, and Queer Theory
  • In-Depth: Paulo Freire (1921–1997)
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of Critical Theories to Social Work
  • Environmental Conditions
  • Classroom Exercises: The Application of Critical Theory to Social Work Practice Examples
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 5: Psychodynamic Theory
  • Brief Introduction to Freudian Ideas
  • Key Conceptual Elements of Freud
  • Psychodynamic Theories’ Early Influences on Social Work Practice
  • Extensions of Psychodynamic Theory
  • In-Depth: Otto Rank
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of Psychodynamic Theory
  • The Application of Psychodynamic Theory to Case Examples
  • Connections to Usefulness in Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 6: Systems Theories
  • Introduction to Systems Theories
  • In-Depth Exploration of Systems Theories as Applied to Social Work Practice
  • Social Work Frame of Reference Based on Systems Theory
  • Current Conceptualization of the Life Model
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of the Life Model to Social Work Practice: Eco-Maps, Genograms, and Beyond
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 7: Environmental and Ecological Theory in Social Work
  • Connecting Social Work With the Natural Environment
  • Is Environmental Thought New?
  • Environmental Ethics
  • In-Depth: Arne Naess and Deep Ecology
  • Critique of Environmental and Ecological Theory
  • Social Work’s Historical Relationship With the Natural Environment
  • Social Work and the Natural Environment: Current Developments
  • Summary of Social Work and the Natural Environment
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 8: Life Span Theories, Family Life Course Perspectives, and Historical Trauma
  • Overview of Life Span Theories
  • Advances Beyond Erikson
  • In-Depth: Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart and Venida S. Chenault
  • Critique of Life Span Theories and Beyond
  • Introduction to Social Work’s Understanding of Life Span Theory
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 9: Symbolic Interactionism
  • Overview and In-Depth Examination of George H. Mead
  • Critique of Symbolic Interactionism
  • Application of Symbolic Interactionism Theory to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 10: Behavior Theory, the Cognitive Turn, and the Influence of Mindfulness
  • Introduction and History of Behaviorism
  • Behavior Theory and Three Generations of Behavior Therapy
  • The Cognitive Turn and the First Generation of Behavior Therapies
  • Cognition and Second-Generation Behavioral Therapies
  • Third-Generation Behavior Therapies
  • In-Depth: Mindfulness East and West
  • Critique of Behavior Theory and Behavior Therapies
  • Application of Behaviorism to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 11: Theories of Culture and White Privilege
  • Critical Consciousness for Ourselves and Our Clients
  • Anti-racism, White Privilege, and White Identity Development
  • Helms’s White Identity Development Model
  • Praxis as Action-Awareness-Reflection-Dialogue
  • In-Depth Theorist: Kimberlé Crenshaw and Intersectionality
  • Critique of Theories of Culture, White Privilege, Diversity, and Intersectionality
  • Application and Development of Diversity in Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 12: Empowerment Theory and the Strengths Perspective
  • Historical Context for Empowerment Theory
  • Key Themes in Empowerment Theory
  • Positive Psychology
  • In-Depth Theorists for the Strengths Perspective
  • Critique of Empowerment Theory and the Strengths Perspective
  • Application of the Strengths Perspective
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 13: Cognitive and Moral Development Theories
  • Piaget and Cognitive Development
  • From Cognitive to Moral Development Theory
  • The Emergence of Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory
  • Extensions From Piaget and Kohlberg
  • Current Trends in Moral Development
  • In-Depth: Carol Gilligan, Women’s Moral Development and Beyond
  • Critique of Cognitive and Moral Development Theories
  • Application of Cognitive and Moral Development Theories to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Additional materials

SAGE Publishing Logo

Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice

Terry L. (Lea) Koenig , John B. Thompson , Richard (Rick) N. Spano
Cancel Print

December 2025 | 520 pages | Sage US

Format Published Date ISBN Price

Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice offers an in-depth exploration of human behavior theory and helps students connect each theory to social work practice. Instead of following the traditional lifespan approach, the book introduces key theories and shows how they apply to case examples across different life stages. With insights from years in social work practice, Terry Koenig, John Thompson, and Rick Spano share case examples that encourage students to engage deeply with ideas and respond to challenges with clarity and care. The new Second Edition addresses all three levels of practice, with a strong emphasis on neuroscience and ethics, and provides a comprehensive foundation into the history of the profession, equipping students to think critically, act ethically, and grow into reflective practitioners.

Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • About the Authors
  • Acknowledgments
  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Theory and Its Application to Social Work Practice
  • How This Book Is Organized
  • Chapter Summaries
  • Theory and Science
  • Does Theory Really Matter? Theory Myth Busters
  • The Interactive Abstract/Concrete Continuum
  • Meta-Theories as Overarching Theories: Their Contributions to Practice
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 2: Critique of Theory for Use in Social Work Practice
  • Introduction to Analysis and Critique of Theory
  • What Does This Theory Say About Human Behavior?
  • How Does This Theory Address Growth and Change?
  • How Holistic Is This Theory?
  • How Consistent Is This Theory With Social Work Values and Ethics?
  • What Are the Sources of Knowledge That Support This Theory?
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 3: Contextualizing Human Behavior Theory
  • Rationale for the Chapter
  • Assumptions Regarding Our Discussion of HBSE Theories and Their Connection to Practice
  • Defining Historical Context
  • Application of Historical Context Framework
  • Historical Context Questions Applied to the Late 1800s to 1920
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 4: Critical Theories
  • Critical Theories and Their Roots in Marxism
  • Broad and Narrow Definitions of Critical Theory
  • Key Themes in Critical Theory and Its Development
  • Three Branches of Critical Theory: Feminist Criticism, Critical Race Theory, and Queer Theory
  • In-Depth: Paulo Freire (1921–1997)
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of Critical Theories to Social Work
  • Environmental Conditions
  • Classroom Exercises: The Application of Critical Theory to Social Work Practice Examples
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 5: Psychodynamic Theory
  • Brief Introduction to Freudian Ideas
  • Key Conceptual Elements of Freud
  • Psychodynamic Theories’ Early Influences on Social Work Practice
  • Extensions of Psychodynamic Theory
  • In-Depth: Otto Rank
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of Psychodynamic Theory
  • The Application of Psychodynamic Theory to Case Examples
  • Connections to Usefulness in Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 6: Systems Theories
  • Introduction to Systems Theories
  • In-Depth Exploration of Systems Theories as Applied to Social Work Practice
  • Social Work Frame of Reference Based on Systems Theory
  • Current Conceptualization of the Life Model
  • Theory Critique
  • Application of the Life Model to Social Work Practice: Eco-Maps, Genograms, and Beyond
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 7: Environmental and Ecological Theory in Social Work
  • Connecting Social Work With the Natural Environment
  • Is Environmental Thought New?
  • Environmental Ethics
  • In-Depth: Arne Naess and Deep Ecology
  • Critique of Environmental and Ecological Theory
  • Social Work’s Historical Relationship With the Natural Environment
  • Social Work and the Natural Environment: Current Developments
  • Summary of Social Work and the Natural Environment
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 8: Life Span Theories, Family Life Course Perspectives, and Historical Trauma
  • Overview of Life Span Theories
  • Advances Beyond Erikson
  • In-Depth: Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart and Venida S. Chenault
  • Critique of Life Span Theories and Beyond
  • Introduction to Social Work’s Understanding of Life Span Theory
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 9: Symbolic Interactionism
  • Overview and In-Depth Examination of George H. Mead
  • Critique of Symbolic Interactionism
  • Application of Symbolic Interactionism Theory to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 10: Behavior Theory, the Cognitive Turn, and the Influence of Mindfulness
  • Introduction and History of Behaviorism
  • Behavior Theory and Three Generations of Behavior Therapy
  • The Cognitive Turn and the First Generation of Behavior Therapies
  • Cognition and Second-Generation Behavioral Therapies
  • Third-Generation Behavior Therapies
  • In-Depth: Mindfulness East and West
  • Critique of Behavior Theory and Behavior Therapies
  • Application of Behaviorism to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 11: Theories of Culture and White Privilege
  • Critical Consciousness for Ourselves and Our Clients
  • Anti-racism, White Privilege, and White Identity Development
  • Helms’s White Identity Development Model
  • Praxis as Action-Awareness-Reflection-Dialogue
  • In-Depth Theorist: Kimberlé Crenshaw and Intersectionality
  • Critique of Theories of Culture, White Privilege, Diversity, and Intersectionality
  • Application and Development of Diversity in Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 12: Empowerment Theory and the Strengths Perspective
  • Historical Context for Empowerment Theory
  • Key Themes in Empowerment Theory
  • Positive Psychology
  • In-Depth Theorists for the Strengths Perspective
  • Critique of Empowerment Theory and the Strengths Perspective
  • Application of the Strengths Perspective
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 13: Cognitive and Moral Development Theories
  • Piaget and Cognitive Development
  • From Cognitive to Moral Development Theory
  • The Emergence of Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory
  • Extensions From Piaget and Kohlberg
  • Current Trends in Moral Development
  • In-Depth: Carol Gilligan, Women’s Moral Development and Beyond
  • Critique of Cognitive and Moral Development Theories
  • Application of Cognitive and Moral Development Theories to Social Work Practice
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Glossary
  • References

Recent Product Reviews:

Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice provides a generalist perspective to informed practice behaviors for the social work profession. This text allows learners to think critically about social work theory, develop a broad expansion on theory terms, and understand theory in the context of intervention.
Sherita Tompkins, Jackson State University School of Social Work
Best textbook on human behavior theory that is contemporary and consistent with current CSWE EPAS. It does not read like a chore and is engaging. It also includes the natural environment, often overlooked in Social Work practice.
Saliwe Kawewe, Southern Illinois University

Recommendations