Like the first edition, this book starts with social work's time-honored person-in-environment approach to understanding human behavior. It provides a multi-theoretical analysis to help students recognize and examine the multiple dimensions of person and environment involved in human behavior. Abstract concepts of person and environment are concretized. In doing so, the book lays the conceptual foundation for social work's dual focus on micro and macro practice. <p>The general approach of weaving powerful case studies with theory and research has been maintained, but all chapters have been updated to reflect recent census data, emerging social trends, and new developments in theory and research. Greater attention is paid to human diversity. Some chapters have been reordered in response to feedback from faculty about the order in which they like to present the material.</p>