Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Interweaving the Inner and Outer Worlds - Hardcover

Esther Urdang has practiced for many years in mental health and family agencies, hospitals, and private practice. At Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, USA, for twenty-seven years, she taught clinical courses as Adjunct Associate Professor and was Assistant Director of Field Education. She was Research Thesis Advisor at Smith College School for Social Work, USA, for ten years. Her book, Parallels Between Writing Biographies and Clinical Practice, was recently published by NASW Press. Her published papers include "In Defense of Process Recording," "The Discipline of Faculty Advising," "The Video Lab: Mirroring Reflections of Self and the Other," "Becoming a Field Instructor: A Key Experience in Professional Development," and "Awareness of Self – a Critical Tool."

Urdang has written a truly ecological text, dynamically describing the interrelations of outer and inner worlds - from cyberspace to neurobiology. This 3rd edition weaves current issues (e.g., immigration, bullying, social media, caregiving for those with mental illness and physical disabilities, expanded understandings of living as an older adult) into the core structure: a synthesis of psychodynamic and family theories with social system and sociocultural concepts. Developing a deep understanding of people’s lived experiences is the heart of social work practice, yet often presents complex ambiguities and paradoxes. Urdang’s clear discussion of theoretical ideas and frequent insertion of practice illustrations make this an engaging read that competently guides readers to such an understanding. Elizabeth King Keenan, PhD, Professor, Department of Social Work, Southern Connecticut State University, USA

Professor Urdang's book captures the many different theoretical and practical dimensions that face social work practice in our current world. Based in historical theoretical models that inform the understandng of individuals, families, groups and societies, as well as intervention approaches, Professor Urdang also integrates newer conceptual frameworks that enrich the traditional ones. Jack Wall, PhD, Director of the School of Social Work, San José State University, USA

This book presents a broad range of concepts that are relevant to the core knowledge of students who are preparing for careers in social work. Unlike many books on human behavior that have been published in recent years, this book includes a discussion of psychoanalytic and derivative theories, such as those focused on the ego and the self. That distinctive feature is responsive to the needs of students who are planning to become clinical social workers. Richard Mackey, Professor Emeritus, School of Social Work, Boston College

As a professor of social work I find it challenging to identify textbooks that adequately explain the complexities of human behavior across the biological. psychological, and social domains over the course of lifespan development. Esther Urdang's text is that book. In it she offers a deep. rich, and textured understanding of psychological development through the lenses of traditional psychoanalytic theory, ego psychology, object relations theory, self psychology, postmodernism, and cognitive theory. Suzanne Brown, PhD, LMSW, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University, excerpted from full review, AAPCSW Newsletter, Winter 2017.