Theoretical Framework in Nursing Process - Elements, Approaches and Strategies of Theory Development
Pocholo N. Isidro R.N.
Philippine Women's University, Master of Arts in Nursing
Theoretical Framework for Nursing Practice – Module 3
A. What are the 5 types of concepts and its characteristics? Give an example of each type.
1. Primitive Concepts are those that have a culturally shared meaning (Walker and Avant, 2005 as cited by Peterson and Bredow, 2009) or are those that are introduced as new in the theory (Meleis, 1997 as cited by Peterson and Bredow, 2009). For instance, in culturally derived concepts, a color is usually primitive because it cannot be defined except by giving examples of a color different from the original color. Grass and leaves would be examples of green while grapes and roses would be examples of not green.
2. Concrete concepts are those that exist in a in a spatial-temporal reality (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). They can be defined in terms of primitive concepts. Grass, leaves, grapes and roses would all be examples of concrete concepts. In nursing, touched used by the nurse would be considered a concrete concept (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). Kim (2010) further defined it as a class of phenomena that exist in certain people in the world and gave the concept of “quadriplegia of Korean war veterans” as an example.
3. Abstract concepts can be defined by primitive or concrete concepts but are not limited by time of space. According to Kim (2010), they refer to general cases. Example of this type of concept is the concept of numbers which only has symbolic meanings without specific empirical contents. Illness, disability and communication could be identified as abstract concepts that would be of interest to nursing (Kim, 2000; Peterson and Bredow, 2009).
4. Property concepts are those that deal with the state of things. (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). Such examples of concept are: state of grief, whether or not a patient has abdominal pain, what the anxiety level is, or what the patient knows about emergency
Philippine Women's University, Master of Arts in Nursing
Theoretical Framework for Nursing Practice – Module 3
A. What are the 5 types of concepts and its characteristics? Give an example of each type.
1. Primitive Concepts are those that have a culturally shared meaning (Walker and Avant, 2005 as cited by Peterson and Bredow, 2009) or are those that are introduced as new in the theory (Meleis, 1997 as cited by Peterson and Bredow, 2009). For instance, in culturally derived concepts, a color is usually primitive because it cannot be defined except by giving examples of a color different from the original color. Grass and leaves would be examples of green while grapes and roses would be examples of not green.
2. Concrete concepts are those that exist in a in a spatial-temporal reality (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). They can be defined in terms of primitive concepts. Grass, leaves, grapes and roses would all be examples of concrete concepts. In nursing, touched used by the nurse would be considered a concrete concept (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). Kim (2010) further defined it as a class of phenomena that exist in certain people in the world and gave the concept of “quadriplegia of Korean war veterans” as an example.
3. Abstract concepts can be defined by primitive or concrete concepts but are not limited by time of space. According to Kim (2010), they refer to general cases. Example of this type of concept is the concept of numbers which only has symbolic meanings without specific empirical contents. Illness, disability and communication could be identified as abstract concepts that would be of interest to nursing (Kim, 2000; Peterson and Bredow, 2009).
4. Property concepts are those that deal with the state of things. (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). Such examples of concept are: state of grief, whether or not a patient has abdominal pain, what the anxiety level is, or what the patient knows about emergency
References: Brabeck, M. and Brown, L. et al. (1999), Feminist theory and psychological practice, as cited by J. Worell and N. Johnson (eds.) Shaping the future of feminist psychology: Education, research, and practice, Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1997, pp.15-35 Hesook Suzie Kim (2010), The Nature of Theoretical Thinking in Nursing, 3rd Edition, Springer Publishing Company LLC, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N.Y., p.22-24 Katharine Kolcalba (2007), Comfort Theory and Practice: A Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research, Springer Publishing Company Inc., 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N.Y., p.9-16 Katharine Kolcalba and Fisher, E. (1996), A wholistic perspective on comfort care as an advance directive., Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 18(4), p.66-76. Michael P. Bowman (1986), Nursing Management and Education: A Conceptual Approach to Change, Croom Helm Ltd., Kippax Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia, p.177-185 Michele J. Gelfand, Louise F. Fitzgerald and Fritz Drasgow (1995), The Structure of Sexual Harassment: A Confirmatory Analysis across Cultures and Settings, Journal of Vocational Behavior 47, 164-177 Sandra J. Peterson and Timothy S. Bredow (2009), Middle Range Theories: Application to Nursing Research, 2nd Edition, Walters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia P.A., p.21-22 Susan P. Phillips and Margaret S. Schneider (December 23, 1993), Sexual Harassment of Female Doctors by Patients, The New England Journal of Medicine, 329:1936-1939