SOCW‑6200‑1: Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (Summer 2025)

1. Course Overview
Focus: Examines how individuals, families, groups, and communities interact with and are shaped by their social environments.

Purpose: Provides social work students with theoretical frameworks to understand human development across the lifespan.

Core Competency: Ability to integrate knowledge of human behavior with practice interventions that promote well‑being and social justice.

2. Key Theoretical Perspectives
Psychodynamic Theory: Emphasizes unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms.

Behavioral Theory: Focuses on observable behaviors shaped by reinforcement and punishment.

Cognitive Theory: Examines thought processes, schemas, and problem‑solving.

Humanistic Theory: Highlights self‑actualization, personal growth, and client strengths.

Systems Theory: Views individuals as part of interconnected systems (family, community, institutions).

Ecological Perspective: Stresses the dynamic interaction between people and their environments, including risk and protective factors.

Life Course Perspective: Considers how historical, cultural, and social contexts influence development across time.

3. Human Development Across the Lifespan
Infancy & Childhood: Attachment, cognitive milestones, socialization, and the impact of parenting styles.

Adolescence: Identity formation, peer influence, risk behaviors, and neurological development.

Adulthood: Career, family roles, intimacy, and generativity.

Older Adulthood: Aging, retirement, health challenges, and coping with loss.

Social Work Implication: Practitioners must tailor interventions to developmental stage and cultural context.

4. Social Institutions and Environment
Family: Primary agent of socialization; influences values, identity, and resilience.

Education: Shapes opportunities, social mobility, and cognitive development.

Economy & Work: Determines access to resources, stability, and stress levels.

Religion & Spirituality: Provides meaning, community, and coping strategies.

Government & Policy: Impacts social welfare, equity, and justice.

Community & Neighborhoods: Affect safety, belonging, and access to services.

5. Diversity, Culture, and Oppression
Culture: Shared beliefs, values, and practices that shape behavior.

Race & Ethnicity: Influence identity, discrimination experiences, and access to opportunities.

Gender & Sexual Orientation: Affect roles, expectations, and social inclusion.

Socioeconomic Status: Determines access to healthcare, education, and housing.

Oppression & Marginalization: Structural barriers that perpetuate inequality.

Social Work Role: Advocate for equity, challenge systemic injustice, and empower marginalized groups.

6. Risk and Resilience
Risk Factors: Poverty, trauma, substance abuse, discrimination.

Protective Factors: Supportive relationships, education, community resources, coping skills.

Resilience: Ability to adapt and thrive despite adversity.

Practice Application: Strengths‑based approach that builds on client resources.

7. Application in Social Work Practice
Assessment: Bio‑psycho‑social evaluations to understand client context.

Intervention: Evidence‑based strategies tailored to developmental stage and environment.

Prevention: Programs addressing risk factors before problems escalate.

Advocacy: Promoting policies that reduce inequality and expand access to services.

Ethics: Guided by NASW Code of Ethics—respect for dignity, competence, integrity, and social justice.

8. Contemporary Issues
Globalization: Cross‑cultural interactions and migration challenges.

Technology: Impact of social media, digital divides, and telehealth.

Climate Change: Environmental justice and vulnerable populations.

Public Health: Pandemics, mental health crises, and healthcare disparities.

Social Movements: Advocacy for racial justice, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.

9. Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of SOCW‑6200‑1, students should be able to:

Apply major theories of human behavior to social work practice.

Analyze the impact of social environments on individuals and groups.

Conduct culturally competent assessments.

Identify risk and protective factors in diverse populations.

Advocate for policies that promote equity and justice.

Integrate ethical principles into practice decisions.

Quiz (15 Questions)
Multiple Choice
Which theory emphasizes unconscious processes and early childhood experiences? a) Behavioral b) Psychodynamic c) Cognitive d) Humanistic

The ecological perspective highlights: a) Internal thought processes b) Interactions between people and environments c) Reinforcement and punishment d) Self‑actualization

Which developmental stage focuses on identity formation and peer influence? a) Infancy b) Adolescence c) Adulthood d) Older adulthood

A strengths‑based approach in social work primarily emphasizes: a) Risk factors b) Client deficits c) Protective factors d) Policy barriers

Which institution is considered the primary agent of socialization? a) Family b) Education c) Government d) Religion

True/False
Systems theory views individuals as isolated units. (False)

Socioeconomic status has little impact on access to healthcare. (False)

Resilience refers to adapting and thriving despite adversity. (True)

The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes respect for dignity and social justice. (True)

Technology has no significant impact on human behavior in the social environment. (False)

Short Answer
Define the life course perspective and explain its relevance to social work.

Identify two risk factors and two protective factors that influence human development.

How does globalization affect social work practice?

Explain the role of advocacy in addressing systemic oppression.

Describe how cultural competence enhances social work assessments.

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