Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice

Terry L. Koenig, PhD, LSCSW, professor, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, teaches human behavior theory, ethics, social work philosophy, and qualitative research methods. Sparked by relationships with her Kazakh daughter-in-law and grandchildren, she pursued a Fulbright scholarship to Kazakhstan in 2011 where she taught social policy with social work students on the Siberian steppe. Dr. Koenig’s scholarship examines ethical decision-making and cross-cultural aspects of social work practice. In addition, she has developed and supported a cross-cultural social work course between the School of Social Welfare and social work faculty at the Universitá del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy.


Rick Spano, PhD, LSCSW, Professor Emeritus, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, has taught social work policy, practice, ethics, and social work history and philosophy for nearly five decades. He developed and supported bilingual and comparative studies social work courses between the School of Social Welfare and Escuela de Trabajo Social, University of Costa Rica. In addition, Dr. Spano’s practice experience includes extensive work in foster care, and he maintains a private practice where he uses a family systems approach to treat sexual abuse of children and adults. He remains active in developing and presenting materials on social work ethics.

John B. Thompson, PhD, MSW, MA, MATS, is associate professor at the School of Social Work, St. Ambrose University. Dr. Thompson’s interests, scholarship, and teaching are interdisciplinary, bringing together wisdom from Christian theology, philosophy, and the social sciences. His courses focus on understanding human behavior and addressing multiple social issues such as mental illness, the opioid crisis, environmental degradation and mass homicide. Publications include work on the intersection of theology and psychiatry, pragmatism and social work, and a book on Christian theology and social justice (in process).