Human Becoming Theory

Rosemarie Rizzo Parse

This page was last updated on October 27, 2011
INTRODUCTION
The Parse theory of human becoming guides nurses In their practice to focus
on quality of life as it is described and lived (Karen & Melnechenko, 1995).
The human becoming theory of nursing presents an alternative to both the con
ventional bio-medical approach and the bio-psycho-social-spiritual (but still no
rmative) approach of most other theories of nursing.(ICPS)
The human becoming theory posits quality of life from each person's own pers
pective as the goal of nursing practice.(ICPS)
Rosemarie Rizzo Parse first published the theory in 1981 as the "Man-livinghealth" theory (ICPS)
The name was officially changed to "the human becoming theory" in 1992 to re
move the term "man," after the change in the dictionary definition of the word f
rom its former meaning of "humankind."
ABOUT THE THEORIST
Educated at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh
MSN and Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh
Published her theory of nursing, Man-Living-Health in 1981
Name changed to Theory of Human Becoming in 1992
Editor and Founder, Nursing Science Quarterly
Has published eight books and hundreds of articles about Human Becoming Theo
ry
Professor and Niehoff Chair at Loyola University, Chicago
THEORY DEVELOPMENT
The human becoming theory was developed as a human science nursing theory in
the tradition of Dilthey, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, and Gadamer and Sci
ence of Unitary Human Beings by Martha Rogers .
The assumptions underpinning the theory were synthesized from works by the E
uropean philosophers, Heidegger, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty, along with works by
the pioneer American nurse theorist, Martha Rogers.
The theory is structured around three abiding themes: meaning, rhythmicity,
and transcendence.
ASSUMPTIONS
About man
The
iverse.
The
ity for
The
The

human is coexisting while coconstituting rhythmical patterns with the un

human is open, freely choosing meaning in situation, bearing responsibil
decisions.
human is unitary, continuously coconstituting patterns of relating.
human is transcending multidimensionally with the possibles

About Becoming

Becoming
Becoming
Becoming
Becoming
Becoming

is
is
is
is
is

unitary human-living-health.
a rhythmically coconstituting human-universe process.
the human s patterns of relating value priorities.
an intersubjective process of transcending with the possibles.
unitary human s emerging

Three Major Assumptions of Human Becoming

Meaning
Human Becoming is freely choosing personal meaning in situations in the
intersubjective process of living value priorities.
Man s reality is given meaning through lived experiences
Man and environment cocreate
Rhythmicity
Human Becoming is cocreating rhythmical patterns of relating in mutual p
rocess with the universe.
Man and environment cocreate ( imaging, valuing, languaging) in rhythmic
al patterns
Transcendence
Human Becoming is cotranscending multidimensionally with emerging possib
les.
Refers to reaching out and beyond the limits that a person sets
One constantly transforms
SUMMARY OF THE THEORY
Human Becoming Theory includes Totality Paradigm
Man is a combination of biological, psychological, sociological and spir
itual factors
Simultaneity Paradigm
Man is a unitary being in continuous, mutual interaction with environmen
t
Originally Man-Living-Health Theory
NURSING PARADIGMS AND PARSE'S THEORY
Person
Open being who is more than and different from the sum of the parts
Environment
Everything in the person and his experiences
Inseparable, complimentary to and evolving with
Health
Open process of being and becoming. Involves synthesis of values
Nursing
A human science and art that uses an abstract body of knowledge to serve
people
SYMBOL OF HUMAN BECOMING THEORY
Black and white = opposite paradox significant to ontology of human becoming
and green is hope
Center joined =co created mutual human universe process at the ontological l
evel & nurse-person process
Green and black swirls intertwining = human-universe co creation as an ongoi
ng process of becoming
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES

Strengths
Differentiates nursing from other disciplines
Practice - Provides guidelines of care and useful administration
Useful in Education
Provides research methodologies
Provides framework to guide inquiry of other theories (grief, hope, laughter
, etc.)
Weaknesses
Research considered to be in a closed circle
Rarely quantifiable results - Difficult to compare to other research studies
, no control group, standardized questions, etc.
Does not utilized the nursing process/diagnoses
Negates the idea that each person engages in a unique lived experience
Not accessible to the novice nurse
Not applicable to acute, emergent care
APPLICATION OF THE THEORY
Nursing Practice
A transformative approach to all levels of nursing
Differs from the traditional nursing process, particularly in that it does n
ot seek to fix problems
Ability to see patients perspective allows nurse to be with patient and guide
them toward desired health outcomes
Nurse-person relationship cocreates changing health patterns
Research
Enhances understanding of human lived experience, health, quality of life an
d quality of nursing practice
Expands the theory of human becoming
Builds new nursing knowledge about universal lived experiences which may ult
imately contribute to health and quality of life
CRITIQUE
Congruence with personal values
Nurse must subscribe to this world view to truly use it
Congruence with other professional values
Complements and competes with other health care professionals values
Exoteric foundations
Esoteric utility
Congruence with social values
Fulfills society s expectations of nursing role
Social Significance
Makes a substantial difference in the lives of clients and nurses