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.