Overview of Theorists, Stages of Development, and Introduction to Gerontology

Vocabulary practice flashcards based on lecture material covering nursing theorists, developmental psychology stages, and gerontological nursing foundations.

Florence Nightingale

Nursing theorist who studied in Kaiserswerth, Germany, served as superintendent for the Institution for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances, led 38 women during the Crimean War, and established sanitary standards that reduced hospital death rates from 420 per 1000 to 22 per 1000.

Self-Care (Orem)

A goal directed toward a safer environment for life, health, and well-being, where individuals learn to respond to health cues in themselves or the environment to maintain personal health.

Self-Care Deficit (Orem)

A condition in which personal care does not meet therapeutic self-care demands because the individual does not recognize or know what to do regarding personal health situations.

Nursing System (Orem)

The framework in which nurses empower patients through interpersonal relationships to help meet their care needs totally, partially, or in a supportive role.

Jean Watson's Theory of Human Care

A theory defining health as harmony between body, mind, and spirit, illness as a lack of harmony within the self and soul, and caring as a complementary core element of nursing practice.

Madeline Leininger's Culture Care Theory

A theory emphasizing the interrelationship between culturally competent nursing care and transcultural nursing research to provide care that is beneficial and meaningful across all cultures.

Growth

The measurable, physical increase in size or body structure.

Development

The acquisition of skills and functional capabilities over time.

Personality

An ingrained, enduring pattern of behaving and relating to oneself and others, including perceptions, attitudes, and emotions, which forms identity and is not easily changed.

Temperament

The aspect of personality describing how one thinks, behaves, or reacts, along with the intensity and extent of their feelings.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A motivation theory structured as a pyramid, progressing from basic physiological needs at the base, followed by safety, love/belonging, esteem, and culminating in self-actualization at the top.

Physiological Needs (Maslow)

The most fundamental level of human survival needs, including breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, and excretion.

Self-Actualization (Maslow)

The apex of Maslow's hierarchy, encompassing morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, and acceptance of facts.

Oral Stage (Freud)

Psychosexual stage from birth to 18 months where the mouth is the primary source of pleasure through sucking and biting; unresolved issues manifest as nail biting, alcoholism, obesity, or smoking.

Anal Stage (Freud)

Psychosexual stage from 18 months to 3 years centered on toilet training and self-control; unresolved issues manifest as perfectionism, constipation, or obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Phallic Stage (Freud)

Psychosexual stage from ages 3 to 6 where pleasure is associated with genital organs, involving the Oedipus or Electra complex; unresolved issues lead to authority conflicts and gender identity difficulties.

Latency Stage (Freud)

Psychosexual stage from age 6 to about 12 where sexual urges are dormant, focus shifts to intellectual pursuits and same-sex friendships, and failure results in lack of motivation in school or work.

Genital Stage (Freud)

Psychosexual stage beginning at puberty with physical readiness for reproduction and heterosexual attraction; unsuccessful outcomes lead to unsatisfactory relationships, frigidity, or impotence.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's stage from infancy to 18 months where the baby learns to rely on caregivers to meet basic needs, leading to the virtue of Hope.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Erikson's stage from 18 months to 3 years where children explore their environment safely and express independence, yielding the virtue of Will.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's stage from ages 3 to 5 where children attempt independent tasks and expand their imagination, developing the virtue of Purpose.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's stage from ages 6 to 12 focused on school learning, productivity, and positive reinforcement, developing the virtue of Competency.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's stage from ages 12 to 18 where adolescents navigate peer groups, values, and self-identity, developing the virtue of Fidelity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Erikson's stage from ages 18 to 40 where young adults seek committed relationships and deep friendships, developing the virtue of Love.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's stage from age 40 to mid-60s where adults focus on guiding future generations and sharing knowledge, developing the virtue of Care.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's stage from mid-60s to death where individuals reflect on and accept their life accomplishments, developing the virtue of Wisdom.

Sensorimotor Stage (Piaget)

Cognitive development stage from birth to 2 years where learning occurs through reflexes, senses, cause-and-effect, and object permanence.

Preoperational Stage (Piaget)

Cognitive development stage from ages 2 to 7 characterized by language development, pretend play, egocentrism, and concrete one-dimensional thinking.

Concrete Operations Stage (Piaget)

Cognitive development stage from ages 7 to 11 where logical thought increases, egocentrism decreases, and concepts of conservation and reversibility are understood.

Formal Operations Stage (Piaget)

Cognitive development stage from age 11 through adulthood characterized by adult logic, abstract thinking, hypothetical reasoning, and understanding consequences.

Preconventional Morality (Kohlberg)

Moral reasoning level (ages 4 to 10) driven externally by avoiding punishment (Stage 1) or obtaining self-serving rewards (Stage 2).

Conventional Morality (Kohlberg)

Moral reasoning level (ages 10 to 13 into adulthood) focused on seeking social approval (Stage 3) and maintaining social order and law (Stage 4).

Postconventional Morality (Kohlberg)

Moral reasoning level (adolescence onward) centered on individual rights and flexible rules (Stage 5), and conscience-driven universal ethical principles (Stage 6).

Clockwork Theory

A biological theory of aging stating that aging is programmed into cells, involving apoptosis (normal programmed cell death).

Ageism

Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discriminatory practices directed toward older individuals that prevent younger generations from recognizing them as individuals.

Role of the Gerontological Nurse

Nursing practice focused on strengthening the individual's self-care capacity, minimizing self-care limitations, and providing direct care when patient demands cannot be met independently.