Christopher G Hudson,Complex systems and human behaviour

Reviewed by: Jean Nursten, formerly University of Reading, England

Christopher Hudson, working in the USA, has long experience as a teacher of social work and as a clinical social worker with particular interest in the field of mental health. He now provides a comprehensive textbook, much of which was drawn together during his sabbatical in Hong Kong. It is written with graduate social work students in mind.

The cover illustrates the link between the concepts of complex systems and human behaviour with multicoloured, differently shaped, box-like buildings showing isolated figures at windows and doorways with random, tentative, web-like lines reaching out to people.

The book, of more than 700 pages, is heavy to hold. Indeed, Hudson himself, in another sense, writes that it is not ‘light reading’ and makes it clear that he is addressing students on a Master’s or doctoral level qualification for social workers, who aim for practice in different fields or to undertake research.

The approach is thematically organized in four parts: The Framework, The Person, The Systems and Application. Each is offered in three to five sections, which makes referring to the book manageable. The aim is to help the reader look afresh at systems theory; to note the way these subjects have changed and developed to date, and what it is that these subjects bring that is applicable in broad fields of social work. The content would be a guide, too, in planning, developing and evaluating courses in the UK. The major topics approached relate to the types of understanding needed to underpin practice and research from the social sciences, consideration being given to human growth and development, along with changes within family life; to values and ethics; and, the systems which may be drawn upon when working with individuals, families, groups, or communities.

Although there is a dire need for social workers, at present qualified in the UK mainly by a three-year undergraduate degree in social work, especially in the field of child protection, there remains a need for higher degrees that include a strong research component. Research, demonstrated by peer-reviewed papers published in appropriate journals, is now greatly needed to ensure that courses continue. Universities in the UK have financial constraints, which have led to some Social Work Departments or Schools being abandoned and closed. The justification put forward consists mainly of quality being assessed by an outside body judging quality of the research papers submitted. Hence, Hudson’s textbook should be available to encourage higher-degree students and support research.

To repeat: the text, as stated in the Foreword, is not an easy read. Even some new words will be met (see, e.g. ‘haplotypes’ and ‘autopoiesis’), but it is worth sticking with it, as a thorough glossary is given and comprehensive references are drawn together in this scholarly work.