Introduction
Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings (SUHB) is a theory that focuses on human existence and universal energy. The theory was developed by Martha Rogers, a scientist and a theorist nurse, in 1970. This theory, also known as the Rogerian model, explains and points out the relationship between human beings and their surroundings. The SUHB explains the consequences of the coexistence between humans and their environment. Human beings are an integral part of the universe in understanding evolutionary changes (Butcher, 2021). Moreover, the life and energy flow process is a primary concern under the Rogerian model. This paper, therefore, discusses the central ideas and concepts that Rogers put forward regarding the human life process while interacting with its surroundings while at the same time pointing out how the concepts connect to yield a unified system.
Assumptions Under the Rogerian Model
Rogers holds on to several assumptions to render her model valid. The first and central assumption is the view of human beings as an integral part of the universe. Under this context, man is a unified whole with a higher thinking capacity than the surrounding sum. The second assumptions state that there is a continuous exchange of matter and energy within this ecosystem, which has mutual benefits on either end. Another vital assumption held by the Rogerian model is the life process. It states that life is irreversibly unidirectional and cannot be paused or rewound. That is to say, that time passed is gone forever and so do the life stages; the lifetime frame is from birth to death. The model also assumes that patterns and organization of man reflect his innovative wholeness. The final disclaimer of this theory puts man at the forefront by acknowledging his capacity for abstraction and imagery, not forgetting language and thought of sensation and emotion (Stiegler et al., 2018). In summary, these assumptions raised by Rogers make its model genuine as understanding human processes and his environment are concerned.
Concepts of the Rogerian Model
The Science of Unitary Human Beings, as stated by Rogers, comprises four significant concepts/postulates and three primary principles. The SUHB, according to its founder, was not just a theory but a basis from where many scientific theories may be derived to help solve or understand contemporary issues (Butcher, 2021). Moreover, Rogers knew that science is a field that is open-ended and dynamic, and such new concepts were underway to support her theory. In her understanding, she acknowledges that science is subject to corrections, alterations, revisions, and changes to develop a more crystal-clear approach with accuracy. The Rogerian model is built on concepts of energy fields, patterns, openness, pan-dimensionality, and hemodynamic principles.
Energy Fields
Energy fields are the first concept in the Rogerian theory, which she defined as the fundamental unit of living and non-living. In her perspective, she says the field is a unifying concept, while energy signifies the dynamic nature of the field. Moreover, the Rogerian theory indicates that a field is infinite and in continuous motion (Gunther, 2021). Therefore, the components of the energy field are humans and its surrounding. However, the Rogerian model teaches that humans do not have an energy field but are considered energy. In contrast to the physical fields, energy fields in the Rogerian model do not have parts and cannot be divided into individual components and thus are considered irreducible or indivisible. From the definition of the energy field, it is deducible to define human beings as irreducible wholes exhibiting distinct features from the sum of parts.
Pattern
The pattern is another concept in the model, just like the energy fields. Rogers stated that a pattern is an abstraction and not easily observed. In a broader view, people usually perceive the manifestations of field patterning. Hence, Rogers defined pattern as the distinguishing characteristic of an energy field perceived in a single wave (Gunther, 2021). As aforementioned earlier, energy continuously changes and makes patterns since it manifests the energy field. Rogers used the term patterning to elaborate on the distinguishing characteristics that occur. Moreover, a pattern is responsible for the identity of various energy fields. This is because it reveals itself through the manifestations. In sinking the concept of pattern, Rogers used the phrase ‘a single wave’ in his definition to emphasize the unitary nature of the pattern, just like the energy fields. Hence, the pattern is irreducible and indivisible and cannot be separated.
Openness
Openness is another concept in the Rogerian model that describes the relationship between human/environment ecosystems. According to Rodgers, openness is a characteristic of energy fields. She suggested that energy fields are open and extended to infinity. Moreover, according to this model, energy fields have no boundaries or are completely open and continuous (Pueyo-Garrigues et al., 2019). Therefore, openness is a unique concept since openness between humans and the environmental fields integrate the two and, as such, makes them as one unity. In other words, openness in this context means there is neither interaction nor energy transfer, but the two energy fields are integral. This tells us that humans and the environmental fields are connected and inseparable.
Pan-Dimensionality
Alongside other concepts, Rogers postulated that reality is pan-dimensional. According to Rogers, pan-dimensionality is a nonlinear domain with no spatial or visual attributes (Kirshbaum, 2021). This idea forms the basis for understanding paranormal parameters. In other words, a nonlinear domain in Rogers’ perspective, is unconstrained by space and time processes (Kirshbaum, 2021). Moreover, under the universe of Science of Unitary Human Beings, paranormal phenomena such as psychic becomes normal. Therefore, nonlocal understanding connections and the relationship between awareness and quantum effects are significant in sinking the knowledge of paranormal phenomena.
The Principles of Integrality, Resonancy, and Helicy
The three terms, i.e., integrality, resonancy, and helicity, are known as the principles of hemodynamics under the Rogerian model. These describe the nature and the direction of change in the energy field. The principles are a way of perceiving unitary human beings. Moreover, the four postulates by Rogers are all seen in each of the hemodynamic principles. The integrality principle refers to the constant continuous mutual human and environmental field process. Resonancy is another hemodynamic principle of the science of unitary human beings. Rogers defined resonancy as the continuous change from lower to higher frequency wave patterns in human/environment fields. In this perspective, it is accepted that wave frequencies are in constant fluctuation hence manifesting both lower and higher frequency patterns. Thus, it can be said that patterns manifest due to energetic human/environmental field mutual processes. Finally, the principle of helicity is used to refer to the continuous innovative, unpredictable, increasing diversity in human/environmental field patterns (Min et al., 2021). Helicity encompasses other concepts such as rhythmical, negentropic evolution emergence, and the unitary nature of human/environment relationship and depicts the nature and direction of change.
Conclusion
As described, the Rogerian model focuses on human existence and universal energy. The takeaway from this discussion is how the model addresses the importance of both human and environmental fields as integrals and inseparable. Therefore, in actual life application, the knowledge from this theory can be used to solve many life problems, including caring for patients by nurses. Moreover, the Rogerian model is a generalizable theory that can be used in any ecosystem by keenly observing the coexistence of humans and the environment.
References
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Kirshbaum, M. N. (2021). The Joyful Freedom Approach. In The Joyful Freedom Approach to Cancer-Related Fatigue (pp. 127-130). Springer.
Min, A., Hong, H., Son, S., & Lee, T. (2021). Alertness during working hours among eight‐hour rotating‐shift nurses: An observational study.Journal Of Nursing Scholarship. Web.
Pueyo-Garrigues, M., Whitehead, D., Pardavila-Belio, M., Canga-Armayor, A., Pueyo-Garrigues, S., & Canga-Armayor, N. (2019). Health education: A Rogerian concept analysis.International Journal Of Nursing Studies, 94, 131-138. Web.
Stiegler, J., Molde, H., & Schanche, E. (2018). Does the two-chair dialogue intervention facilitate the processing of emotions more efficiently than basic Rogerian conditions?European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 20(3), 337-355. Web.