Dimensions of Human Behavior Person and Environment Chapter

Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment Chapter 1 Aspects of Human Behavior: Person, Environment, Time

KEY POINTS ADDRESSED n The Complexity of Human Behavior n A Multidimensional Approach n Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social n n n Justice The General and the Unique General Knowledge: Theory and Research in a Multidimensional Approach Implications for Social Work Practice Organization of the Book Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

The Complexity of Human Behavior: Consider Sina’s Story n Focus on the person: What is it about Sina’s physical, emotional, and spiritual self that helps us to understand her behavior? n Focus on the environment: How did/do the geography, culture, political events, social organizations, and family relationships in Sina’s world influence her? n Focus on time: What has changed in Sina’s life? How have past experiences and events impacted Sina’s current situation? Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

A Multidimensional Approach Dimension: A feature that can be focused on separately but that cannot be understood without also considering other features In a multidimensional approach to human behavior, the dimensions are connected to each other in several ways and interact dynamically. Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

A Multidimensional Approach: The Time Dimension In a multidimensional approach to human behavior, the dimensions not only interact dynamically, but also change over time. Long-term changes: constants and trends n Short-term changes: cycles and shifts n Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

A Multidimensional Approach: Some Examples of Dimensions n What are the major personal dimensions covered in the text? n What are some examples? n What are the major environmental dimensions? n What are some examples? n What are the major time dimensions? n What are some examples? Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

A Multidimensional Approach: A Graphic Illustration Consider the figure as representing the multidimensional approach to person and environment. • The light blue lines might represent the different dimensions of the person -biological, psychological, spiritual, etc. • The darker blue lines might represent different dimensions of the environment --the family, culture, social organizations, etc. • Note how the dimensions relate to each other. * http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Tesseract Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior *

A Multidimensional Approach: A Graphic Illustration n How can you change this graphic to make it more illustrative of the multidimensional approach? n Is there another graphic that you can think of that provides better illustration? * http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Tesseract Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior *

Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice What is Heterogeneity? What is Diversity? What is meant by “naming of identity groups” and why is it important to understand? What is meant by “mechanisms of oppression” and what are they? What is meant by “privilege” and “disadvantage” and how are they multidimensional? Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice Why is Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice discussed in this text? Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

The General and the Unique Effective social work practice balances: n The individual, unique assessment of the specific person in a specific situation n WITH general knowledge about human behavior 1 4 Interactions with the person That helps us understand That are tested in Individual’s unique story 3 Hypotheses (tentative statements) 2 Suggests Needed general knowledge That in turn suggests Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

General Knowledge: Theory and Research from the THEORY side THEORY: n Provides a framework for understanding person/environment transactions n Guides interventions n Focuses our attention on particular aspects of the person- environment-time configuration n Is based on assumptions, or beliefs held to be true without testing or proof, about the nature of human social life n Is composed of concepts which are put together to form propositions and statements of relationship Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

General Knowledge: Theory and Research from the THEORY side Criteria for Evaluating Theory • Coherence and conceptual clarity • Testability and evidence of empirical support • Comprehensiveness • Consistency with social work’s emphasis on diversity and power arrangements • Usefulness for social work practice Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

General Knowledge: Theory and Research from the RESEARCH side RESEARCH: n Is a problem-solving process n Is a systematic method of seeking answers to questions n Is empirical -- something that we experience through our senses, as opposed to something that we experience purely in our minds n Is a way of observing events with the intent to look for patterns in those events n Is a way to test the assumptions of theories Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

General Knowledge: Theory and Research from the RESEARCH side Criteria for Evaluating Research • • • Corroboration Multidimensionality Definition of terms Limitation of sample Influence of setting Influence of the researcher Social distance Specification of inferences Suitability of measures Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Theory and Research in a Multidimensional Approach: Questions to Ponder Do the dimensions of human behavior have an objective reality that exists outside a person’s consciousness OR is all reality based on personal perception (subjective reality)? n Belief in objective reality is congruent with positivist perspective that uses quantitative research methods to test theory. n Belief in subjective reality is congruent with an interpretist perspective that uses qualitative research methods to understand how people experience their lives. Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Theory and Research in a Multidimensional Approach: More Questions to Ponder Is human behavior determined by forces beyond the control of the person (determinism) or are persons free and proactive agents in the creation of their behavior (voluntarism)? Are the patterned interactions among people characterized by harmony, unity, and social cohesion or by conflict, domination, coercion, and exploitation? Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Implications for Social Work Practice Describe some of the principles for social work practice derived from the multidimensional approach. Which principles are associated with: n assessment n prevention and intervention and remediation services Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Organization of the Book Part I: A Multidimensional Approach for Multifaceted Social Work § Introduces the framework for the book § Provides a foundation for critical thinking about theory and research Part II: Analysis of The Multiple Dimensions Persons § Biological person § Psychosocial person § Spiritual person Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior of

Organization of the Book (cont) Part III: Discussion of The Environmental Dimensions: § Physical environment § Culture § Social institutions and social structure § Families § Small groups § Formal organizations § Communities § Social movements Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Questions to ask as you read the material 1. What is the evidence for this statement? 2. Is this true for all people (for me, for my client, for other people I know)? 3. How can I use this information in my practice? 4. Is there anything left out of this argument? 5. What is the main point of this section? 6. Can I summarize the argument? 7. How does this relate to other evidence about this topic? Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior