CONCEPT OF MAN
FON
MARISSA S, FERNANDEZ, RN,MAN
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
Concepts of Man:
- It forms the first foundational component of Nursing.
- To be able to provide individualized, holistic, humane,
ethical and quality nursing care, it is primary
consideration to understand MAN.
- Each individual has unique characteristics, but certain
needs are common to all people, called basic human
needs.
- Basic human needs are physiologic and psychologic
conditions, that the individual must meet to achieve a
state of health and well being.
Four Attributes of Human Being:
1. The capacity to think or conceptualize on the
abstract level.
2. Family formation
3. The tendency to seek and maintain territory.
4. The ability to use verbal symbols as language,
a means of developing and maintaining culture.
Nursing Concepts of Man:
I. Man is a Biopsychosocial and Spiritual being who is constant contact with
the environment. (Roy)
1. - As a biologic being – man is like other men. This because all men have
the same basic human needs.
2. - As a psychologic being – man is like no other man. This because man is
unique, irreplaceable, one-time being. No two persons are exactly alike.
Characteristics of man as psychologic being:
a. rational but at times irrational
b. mature with a core of immaturity
c. limited and unlimited nature
d. a being of contradictions
e. a being who is usually at the crossroads of indecisiveness.
3. As a social being – man is like other man. A group of people have
common attributes that make them different from other groups.
Characteristics:
a. Culture (including beliefs, practices, norms, religions, taboos,
language, etc.)
b. Age groups
c. Social status
d. Educational status
4. As a spiritual being – man is like other men. All men is spiritual in
nature. This because:
a. all men has intellect and will
b. all men endowed with virtues of faith, hope, and charity
c. all men believe in existence of a Supreme Power who guides our
state and destiny, who is source of meaning and purpose of life.
II. Man is an open system in constant interaction with a changing
environment. (Roy)
1. Open system is one
= that allows input and output to and from the boundaries
= that allows exchange of, or is constantly affected by
- matter ( ex. foods, medicines, microorganism etc.);
- energy ( ex. Pain, fever, inflammation, etc.) and
- information ( diagnosis of illness, pregnancy, death of loved one,
etc.)
2. Closed system is one that will not allow exchange of matter, energy
and information.
(ex. A lighted candle covered with a glass).
III. Man is a unified whole composed of parts which are interdependent and
interrelated with each other. (Rogers theory).
- The different organs and organs systems function together to achieve a
particular purpose.
= ex. To have adequate oxygenation, there should be a normal
functioning of respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system.
= no organs or organ system functions on each own. Therefore, no
single organ or organ system is affected without affecting other organs or
organ system.
IV. Man is composed of parts which are greater than and different from the
sum of all parts. (Rogers theory).
Man is greater than the sum of all parts:
- Its because he is not simply a composite of physiologic body parts.
Man is different from the sum of all his parts:
- It’s because at times his responses are predictable, but at times
unpredictable.
- He is a creature of contradictions.
- He responds favorably to some factors like food, medications,
treatments; but at times respond unfavorably to developed some factors like
eating foods which cause diarrhea, certain foods developing allergies.
V. Man is composed of subsystems and suprasystems. (Rogers).
- Man’s subsystems are cells, tissues, organs, organ system.
ex. Pain in the wound of the finger, which affects the entire body.
- Man’s suprasystems are family, community, and the society.
ex. Community – sanitation, supply of portable water, space & etc.
Society - availability of health care delivery facilities and services,
laws that ensure adequate and right of every man, political climate and etc.
VI. Man is an individual with vital reparative processes to deal with disease and
desirous of health but passive in terms of influencing the environment or nurse.
(Nightingale’s theory).
VII. Man is a whole, complete and independent being who has 14 fundamental
needs to: (Henderson’s theory).
- Breath - Keep Clean - Avoid danger
- Eat and drink - Eliminate - Communicate
- Sleep and rest - Worship - Dress and undress
- Work - Play - Learn
- Move and maintain posture
- Maintain body temperature
VIII. Man is a unity who can be viewed as functioning, biologically,
symbolically and socially and who initiates and performs self-care activities
on own behalf in maintaining life, health and well-being. ( Orem).
The Basic Human Needs:
1. Each individual has a unique characteristic, but certain needs
are common to all people.
2. A need is something that is desirable, useful, or necessary.
3. Human needs are physiologic or psychologic conditions that
an individual must meet to achieve a state of health or well-
being.
4. Maslow rank basic human needs according to what is crucial
for survival.
Characteristics of Human Needs:
1. Needs are universal
2. Needs may be meet in different ways
3. Needs may be stimulated by external and internal factors
4. Priorities may be altered
5. Needs may be deferred
6. Needs are interrelated.
Hierarchy of needs five-stage model includes:
Maslow (1943, 1954) stated that people are motivated to achieve certain
needs and that some needs take precedence over others.
1. Physiological needs - these are biological requirements for human survival,
e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep.
If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally.
Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the other
needs become secondary until these needs are met.
2. Safety needs - once an individual’s physiological needs are satisfied, the
needs for security and safety become salient. People want to experience
order, predictability and control in their lives.
These needs can be fulfilled by the family and society (e.g. police, schools,
business and medical care).
For example, emotional security, financial security (e.g. employment, social
welfare), law and order, freedom from fear, social stability, property, health
and wellbeing (e.g. safety against accidents and injury).
3. Love and belongingness needs:
- after physiological and safety needs have been
fulfilled, the third level of human needs is social and
involves feelings of belongingness.
- Belongingness, refers to a human emotional need for
interpersonal relationships, affiliating, connectedness,
and being part of a group.
Examples of belongingness needs include friendship,
intimacy, trust, and acceptance, receiving and giving
affection, and love.
4. Esteem needs:
- Are the fourth level in Maslow’s hierarchy and include
self-worth, accomplishement and respect.
Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories:
(i) esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery,
independence) and
(ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g.,
status, prestige).
Maslow indicated that the need for respect or
reputation is most important for children and
adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity.
5. Self-actualization needs
- Are the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy, and
- Refer to the realization of a person's potential, self-fulfillment,
seeking personal growth and peak experiences. Maslow (1943)
describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that
one can, to become the most that one can be.
Individuals may perceive or focus on this need very specifically.
- For example, one individual may have a strong desire to
become an ideal parent.
- In another, the desire may be expressed economically,
academically or athletically.
-For others, it may be expressed creatively, in paintings,
pictures, or inventions.
