Human Behavior in the Social Environment            

Human Behavior in the Social Environment                                   

SOWK 645                                                  

Here is a description of the Common Assignment required of all sections of sowk 645. I am not permitted to change the Common Assignment. However, for the purpose of clarity, I have added details in the text of the assignment that are specific to the sections of the course I teach. Any notes here in italics (italics) are mine and will hopefully add clarity and make the assignment easier to understand and complete.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Common Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your ability to critically apply theories of human behavior to the assessment, intervention and evaluation of a case example or social problem of your choice.

I have chosen to give this assignment in three (3) parts:

Part 1  Summary of a Broad Perspective

Part 2  Summary of a Specific Theory

Part 3  Case Application

For this assignment, please select two of the approved course theories (included on pages 2-3). You should choose one “Broad Perspective” and one “Specific Theory.”

For each of these theories(Broad Perspective and Specific Theory) please answer the following questions (starting on p.2) thatwe designed to measure your understanding of 1) the basic concepts associated with each theory/perspective and 2) your ability to critically assess and apply those concepts to a case example.

You should discuss each chosen theory (Broad Perspective and Specific Theory) independently. Please support your discussion by both the Hutchison textbook and two additional scholarly sources (per theory). Note that Wikipedia and other general online sources are often not scholarly. Please consider sources from library databases. Take extra care to think critically about the theoretical perspectives, and to avoid plagiarizing from the textbook or other sources. I will not give you credit for any responses in which you have not properly attributed its source.

Your paper should not exceed 12-15 pages (not including the title or references page) and should be formatted in APA style (12-point font, double-spaced), including in-text citations.

Part 1  Summary of a Broad Perspective   (5-6 page limit)

Part 2  Summary of a Specific Theory   (5-6 page limit)

Part 3  Case Application     (3-4 page limit)

For Each Theory:  (Broad Perspective and Specific Theory each)

1. Introduction to the theory: Please provide an overview of each theory and its core concepts, including the history of its development and any founding theorists.
2. Critical Reflection on the Multidimensional Nature of this Theory: Please discuss the extent to which this theory adequately addresses the multiple dimensions impacting human behavior that we’ve discussed this semester, for example: biological, psychological, social, spiritual, family, culture, physical environment, social institutions, social movements, life stage and historical context.
3. Diversity and Social Justice: Please critically analyze this theory based on its ability to address issues of diversity, inclusion, power, and social justice. In what ways does it do this well and where is it lacking?
4. Supporting Evidence: Please briefly discuss the empirical evidence of support for the core concepts of your chosen theory.
5. Micro/Macro Applicability: Please briefly discuss whether this theory lends itself more to a micro or macro perspective of behavior, or does it effectively encompass both?

Application to Your Case:

Where do I get a case?  The easiest way to find a case is to use one of the cases from the Hutchison text. OR you can use a case from your field practicum. OR you can choose from one of the books or films listed on p.4.

1. Case Background/Summary: Please provide no more than one paragraph of background information on the case or social problem you will be discussing in your application of these theories.
2. Implications for Assessment: According to this perspective/theory, what is/are the most important aspect(s) of person/environment to be assessed? Please apply this theory to your case example or social problem and identify the ways in which this perspective/theory helps explain this person’s or the community’s behavioralong with ways in which it does not. Provide specific examples from the case example.
3. Implications for Intervention/Social Work Practice: According to this perspective or theory, what are the most important points for intervention or practice? Please share how you see this theory informingintervention strategies in your case example or social problem. Don’t forget to consider interventions on both micro and macro levels.
4. Implications for Evaluation: Based on this theoretical lens, how would you know that your intervention had worked? How would you evaluate success? Please apply your discussion of evaluation to your case example or social problem.

Approved Theories and Perspectives

Broad Perspectives:

• Systems Perspective
• Social Constructionist Perspective
• Psychodynamic Perspective
• Social Behavioral Perspective
• Humanistic Perspective
• Exchange and Choice Perspective
• Conflict Perspective
• Developmental or Life Course Perspective

Specific Theories:

• Cumulative Advantage and Disadvantage (Development)
• Piaget’s Cognitive Theory of Development (Development)
• Erickson’s Psychosocial Stages (Development)
• Cognitive Theory of Development (Cognition)
• Social Learning Theory (Behavior/Cognition)
• Ego Psychology (Emotion)
• Self Psychology (Social)
• Theory of Emotional Intelligence (Emotion)
• Attachment Theory (Social)
• Relational Theory (Social)
• Object Relations Theory (Social)
• Feminist Theory (Social)
• Social Identity Theory (Social)
• Critical Race Theory (Social)
• Family Systems Model (Family)
• Family Life Cycle Perspective (Family)
• Family Stress and Coping Perspective (Family)

• Control Theories (Physical Environment)
• Behavior Settings Theories (Physical Environment)
• Systems Perspective (Formal Organizations)
• Interpretive Perspective (Formal Organizations)
• Critical Perspective (Formal Organizations)
• Social Capital Approach (Community)
• Cultural Framing Perspective (Social Movements)

If you choose a character or individual from a book or film, you should choose from the list below.

• Barefoot Heart: Stories of a Migrant Child by Eva Trevino Hart
• All Souls: A Family Story from Southie by Michael Patrick MacDonald
• The Color of Water by James McBride
• The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
• Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario
• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down byAnne Fadiman
• Educated By Tara Westover
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
• Crash (film)
• Gran Torino (film)
• Lady Bird (film)
• Moonlight (film)

Note:  You are being asked to write three short papers; Part 1 focusing on a Broad Perspective, Part 2 focusing on a Specific Theory, and Part 3 Applying both to a case. Each of these should conform to the length specified and is due on the date specified in the course syllabus. I will make every effort to have each part graded and returned to you by the following week.

HBSE Common Assignment Assessment Rubric