Author Description

In a fresh, elegant, and accessible manner, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Micro Level explores the nuances of the biological, psychological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of our social lives. Drawing on examples from social work, psychology, literature, philosophy, and current events, it richly illustrates human development and behavior, both normal and abnormal. Katherine van Wormer skillfully integrates recent research ranging from brain imaging to international surveys on happiness, lending extraordinary insight into our drives and motivations. The result is a singular textbook that truly bridges theory and practice by revealing the patterns and paradoxes of our behavior in the social context.*Outlines theoretical concepts and practice implications in each chapter*Places unique emphasis on biology's influence on human behavior, employing the latest empirical data in discussions of matters such as gender differences, genetics, and mental disorders*Focuses on evidence-based theory and research*Teaches from a global, cross-cultural, perspective, highlighting themes of empowerment and social justice*Features dynamic readings and personal narratives that highlight each chapter's topic*Accompanied by an online instructor's manual with Power Points for lecture presentations, chapter summaries, key terms, suggested classroom activities, and a test bank with essay and multiple choice questionsAlso available is a companion volume, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Macro Level, written with Fred Besthorn and Thomas Keefe, which develops a sophisticated and original view of the cultural, global, spiritual, and natural worlds that people inhabit, and the impact of these worlds on human behavior.