Changing Problem Behavior in Schools.

The approach to problem behaviors in the school described in this book is called "ecosystemic" because problem behavior is viewed as a part of, not separate from, the social setting within which it occurs. The book is divided into three parts. The three chapters in Part One describe the ecosystemic framework used to explain problem behavior. Chapter 1 analyzes how social, personal, and professional factors influence individuals' perceptions of events and contribute to keeping their behavior in problem situations from changing. Chapter 2 describes the usefulness of the concept of ecosystem and explains how problems and solutions are viewed from an ecosystemic perspective. Chapter 3 focuses on how to recognize and use ecosystemic clues to help develop the flexible approach to problem solving. Part Two of the book, consisting of chapters 4 through 9, presents ecosystemic methods for promoting change in problem situations. Each chapter is devoted to a different ecosystemic technique. Each chapter follows the same format: the technique is described, case examples are presented and discussed, and the essential elements of the technique are reviewed. The three chapters in Part Three encourage readers to implement techniques from Parts One and Two. A resource section concludes the book. (Author/NB)