Human Biology for Social Workers Book

Each chapter concludes with “Summary” and “Discussion Questions.”

I. THE BASICS OF HUMAN BIOLOGY.

1. Why Study Biology?

Biology in the Sciences.

Understanding Human Behavior Through Biology.

Social Work Theory and Biology.

New Thinking About Biology.

Writers Larry McMurtry and Barbara Kingsolver on Biology and Science.

Some Definitions.

Components of Human Biology.

Concepts and Current Issues.

Science and the Human Services.

Science and Its Alternatives.

Body Building Substances.

Sexuality and Reproduction Knowledge.

Basic Science and Understanding the World.

Biological Myths and Their Debunking.

How to Learn More About Human Biology.

Human Biology on the Internet.

2. Basics of Biology, Anatomy, and Physiology.

Some Definitions.

Levels of Organization in Human Biology.

Biological Systems.

Dissection.

Evolution.

Interactions Between Organisms and Their External Environments.

Human Body Systems.

The Complexity of the Human Body.

3. Determinism, Biology, Culture, and the Ecological Perspective.

Introduction.

Determinism.

The Division of Determinism into Biological and Environmental Determinism.

Conclusion: Social Work Knowledge Building.

4. Biological Development and the Human Lifespan.

“Your Baby's First Year,” by Susan Biasella, reprinted with permission from Lamaze Baby.

Childhood Stages.

Biological Developments at Various Stages.

Circumcision.

Learning Disabilities.

Biological Benchmarks of Adolescence.

Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Aging.

Biological Issues in Aging.

Normal Biological Change in Old Age.

Diseases of Aging.

Organic Mental Health and Aging.

II. EVOLUTION, GENETICS, AND INHERITANCE.

5. Genetics, Evolution, and Human Behavior.

Introduction.

Basic Concepts and Terms.

Scientific Pursuit of Understanding Evolution and Human Behavior.

Modern Discussion Concerning the Relationship Between Evolution and Human Behavior.

Drawing Conclusions for Social Workers.

6. Human Biology and Intellect.

Social Workers and Intelligence Research.

Biological Theory of Intellect.

The Work of Psychologists.

Psychometric Intelligence.

Biological Intelligence.

Social or Practical Intelligence.

The ìGî Factor of Intelligence.

Evolutionary Concepts.

Localization of Function.

Physical Size of the Brain.

Cognitive Skills Associated with Intellect.

Theories of Intellect.

Cultural Emphases of Intellect.

Cognitive Skills and Adaptive Behaviors.

History and Biological Approaches to Intelligence.

Biologically-Based Abilities.

Psychometric Approach to Intelligence.

Psychometric Instruments.

Bell Curve Controversy.

Social Position and Race.

Broad Theories of Intelligence and Kinds of Intelligence.

Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

Successful Intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence.

Implications for Social Work Practice.

7. The Human Genome Project.

Introduction.

The Role of Genes in Human Inheritance.

Historical highlights of genetics research.

Ethical Issues.

Human Genome Project and Social Work.@AHEADS = Conclusions.

III. HUMAN PROBLEMS, ISSUES, AND BIOLOGY.

8. The Biology of Disability, Health, Illness, and Treatment.

Diseases and Their Causes.

Types of Medicine.

9. Biology and Mental Illness

Introduction.

Genetic and Biological Underpinning of MH Disorders.

The Brain and Mental Illness.

Pharmacological Interventions.

Electroconvulsive Therapies.

Mental Illness and Physical Factors.

Substance Abuse.

Developmental Disabilities.

Sleep Research—Insert.

Critical Analysis of Biology and Mental Health.

Conclusions.

10. Biological Elements of Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco

Policy Issues on Alcohol and Drugs.

Social Effects of Alcohol and Drugs.

Caffeine.

Psychoactive Medicines.

Children and Drug Testing.

Steroids.

Steroids in Medical Treatment.

Synthetic Drugs.

Prescription Medicines.

Physiology of Drugs.

Substance Use Data.

Biology of Cocaine Use.

Effects of Cannabis.

Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse.

Biology of Alcohol Use.

Tobacco Abuse.

Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

11. Human Sexuality and Sexual Orientation.

Nature vs. Nurture.

Sex Research.

Biological and Social Constructive Explanations.

Historical Context.

Greek Culture.

Roman Culture.

Medieval Period.

Victorian Period.

19th & 20th Century.

Theory, Research, and Understanding.

Biological Dimension in Human Sexuality.

Theories of Human Sexuality.

Freud's Theory of Human Development.

Evolutionary Psychology and Human Development.

Masters and Johnson—Sex Researchers.

Biological Theory of Human Sexuality.

Gender Role Development.

Hormones in Human Sexuality.

Questions/Controversies.

Human Biology and Sexual Orientation.

Definitions of Sexual Orientation.

Historical Research.

Biological Dimension of Sexual Orientation.

Biology vs. Social and Cultural Influences.

Sexual Orientation and Genetics.

Historical Review.

Behavioral Genetic Studies.

Sociobiology = Human Biology and Human Sexuality.

Human Biology, Human Sexuality, and Sexual Dysfunction.

Defining Sexual Dysfunction.

Subtypes and Causes of Sexual Dysfunction.

Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction.

Implications for Social Work Practice.

Awareness of Research.

Understanding Causal Claims.

Social Comparison Theory.

12. The Biology of Aging.

Programs and Services for the Elderly.

Data on Aging.

Nursing Home Care.

Biological Issues in Aging.

Normal Biological Changes in Aging.

Diseases of Aging.

The Biology of Aging.

Aging as Disease?

Geoffrey Cowley, “The Biology of Aging,” reprinted from Newsweek.

IV. EMERGING ISSUES IN HUMAN BIOLOGY FOR SOCIAL WORKERS.

13. Public Health and Biology.

Public Health and Social Work.

Public Health as Community Health.

Bioterrorism.

Public Health and the Eradication of Diseases.

AIDS.

Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

State Public Health Agencies.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Work Related and Product Injuries.

Preventive Health Services.

Preventable Childhood Diseases.

Occupational Health.

Tuberculosis.

Social Problems—Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Homicide.

Human Movement and Disease.

Parasites.

Pests.

Air Pollution.

The Environment and Genetics.

Bioterrorism.

Nosocomial Diseases (Caused by Health Care Measures).

Healthy Diet and Nutrition.

Exercise and Health.

14. Critical Thinking and Human Biology

Defining Critical Thinking.

Scientific Method.

Social Constructivists.

Scientific Critical Thinking Skills.

Critical Thinking and Social Work Practice.

Fallacies in Thinking.

Human Biology and the Use of Critical Thinking Skills.

Levels of Complexity in Human Biology.

Levels of Human Biology.

Myths/Questions in Human Biology.

Major Questions.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

Human Biology and Social Work Micro Practice.

Human Biology and Social Work Macro Practice.

Critical Thinking and Human Biology—You Can Do It.

15. Concluding Chapter—The Roles of Understanding Biology in the Practice of Social Work.