Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment

Chapter 1

Aspects of Human Behavior: Person, Environment, Time

KEY POINTS ADDRESSED

The Complexity of Human Behavior A Multidimensional Approach Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social

Justice The General and the Unique General Knowledge: Theory and Research 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 Focus on the person: What is it about Sina’s

physical, emotional, and spiritual self that helps us to understand her behavior?

Focus on the environment: How did/do the geography, culture, political events, social organizations, and family relationships in Sina’s world influence her?

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

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

In a multidimensional approach to human behavior, the dimensions are connected to each other in several ways and interact dynamically.

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 Short-term changes: cycles and shifts

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

A Multidimensional Approach: Some Examples of Dimensions What are the major personal dimensions

covered in the text? What are some examples?

What are the major environmental dimensions? What are some examples?

What are the major time dimensions? 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.

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesseract

• 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.

*

A Multidimensional Approach: A Graphic Illustration

How can you change this graphic to make it more illustrative of the multidimensional approach?

Is there another graphic that you can think of that provides better illustration?

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesseract

*

Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

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?

Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Why is Diversity, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Social Justice discussed in this text?

The General and the Unique

Effective social work practice balances: The individual, unique assessment of the specific

person in a specific situation WITH general knowledge about human behavior

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

Suggests

That in turn suggests

That are tested in

That helps us understand

Individual’s uniquestory

Needed general knowledgeInteractions

withthe person

Hypotheses (tentative

statements)

1 2

3

4

General Knowledge: Theory and Research from the THEORY sideTHEORY: Provides a framework for understanding person/environment

transactions

Guides interventions

Focuses our attention on particular aspects of the person-

environment-time configuration

Is based on assumptions, or beliefs held to be true without

testing or proof, about the nature of human social life

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: Is a problem-solving process

Is a systematic method of seeking answers to questions

Is empirical -- something that we experience through our senses, as opposed to something that we experience purely in our minds

Is a way of observing events with the intent to look for patterns in those events

Is a way to test the assumptions of theories

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

General Knowledge: Theory and Research from the RESEARCH side

Chapter 1: Aspects of Human Behavior

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

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)? Belief in objective reality is congruent with positivist

perspective that uses quantitative research methods to test theory.

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:

assessment and intervention

prevention 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 of Persons Biological person

Psychological person

Psychosocial person

Spiritual person

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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