1. Running head: HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 1
Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming:
Theory Critique Essay
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2. HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 2
Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming:
Theory Critique Essay
Abstract
Theories are a valuable aspect of the nursing profession, providing a sound basis for
practice and nursing care. One other theory that has become influential in the field of nursing is
Rosemarie Rizzo Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming. However, in order for a theory to be
accepted, it must pass a series of criteria and testing. In relation, this paper then involved an
exploration of a theory, specifically Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming.
In terms of significance, Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming is significant in the sense
that it is able to address the issues of the society in terms of human need for independence,
autonomy, and participation with patient care. Parse’s Human Becoming theory is also internally
consistent, since it was able to be faithful to its definitions, especially of human becoming. The
theory was also able to clearly define its terms and concepts. However, in terms of structural
consistency, Parse’s theory may have its weaknesses. For parsimony, Parse’s Theory of Human
Becoming involves an alternative way of dealing with patient care by integrating the patient and
family’s own perceptions of their situation, it can be seen that the theory can get high marks in
terms of parsimony. In terms of testability, the theory provided little means by which it can be
measured or analyzed. For empirical adequacy, the theory’s empirical adequacy is something
that has been tried and tested in numerous researches. Finally, for pragmatic adequacy, the
Human Becoming theory is not really compatible with the Nursing Process, since the theory does
not seek to solve problems, but only to understand them.

3. HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 3
Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming:
Theory Critique Essay
Introduction
Theories are a valuable aspect of the nursing profession, providing a sound basis for
practice and nursing care. Numerous theories have served as the foundation theories of nursing,
such as Nightingale’s Environmental Theory. One other theory that has become influential in the
field of nursing is Rosemarie Rizzo Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming. However, in order for
a theory to be accepted, it must pass a series of criteria and testing. In relation, this paper will
then involve an exploration of a theory, specifically Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming. A
background or summary of the theory will be first presented, followed by the analysis of the
empiric basis of the theory in terms of significance, internal consistency, parsimony, testability,
empirical adequacy, and pragmatic adequacy, as recommended by Fawcett (2005).
Background of the Theory
Parse developed her theory of nursing by combining and synthesizing the different
concepts from existentialist-phenomenological thoughts and from Martha Rogers. By analyzing
the said concepts, she then provided nine major concepts that served as the main principles of the
theory of Human Becoming. These nine principles are actually assumptions about man and about
the process of becoming. The said nine principles are summarized below.
“The Human Becoming Theory assumes the following about man: a) The human
being is coexistent while con-constituting rhythmical patterns with the universe,
b) The human being is open, freely choosing meaning in a situation, as well as
bearing responsibility for made decisions, c) The human being is unitary, and
continuously co-creating patterns of relaxing, and d) The human being is multi-

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dimensionally with the possibilities. [Moreover], The Human Becoming Theory
assumes the following about becoming: a) Becoming is unitary with human-
living-health, b) Becoming involves rhythmically con-constituting the human-
universe process, c) Becoming is the human being’s patterns of relating value
priorities, d) Becoming is an intersubjective process of transcending with the
possibilities, and e) Becoming is the unitary human’s emerging” (Kozier, Erb,
Berman, Snyder, Lake, et al., 2008, p.32).
From these nine principles, three main themes can be observed or deduced. These themes
relate to, or can be summarized into: a) meaning, b) rhythmicity, and c) transcendence. Still, each
theme also leads to expands into another related theme. For example, according to George
(2010), “meaning” relates to the creation or learning of language, to valuing, and to imagining,
while rhythmicity relates to connecting-separating, enabling-limiting, and revealing-concealing.
On the other hand, transcendence relates to transforming, originating, and powering. Each of the
main themes come with different processes and mechanisms for nursing care.
In terms of application or significance, Parse’s theory of Human Becoming assists the
nurse in focusing on the quality of life of the patient by presenting an alternative to the
traditional pharmacological approach of modern medicine, and to the bio-psycho-social-spiritual
approach of other models and theories of nursing. In addition, this theory makes it possible for
the nurse to assess the patient in such a way that the patient participates in the whole process by
being the one to rate his/her quality of life from his/her own perspective. First termed as “Man-
living-health Theory” in 1981, the Human Becoming theory also involves the Totality Paradigm,
wherein man is viewed as a result of the interaction of different spiritual, sociological,
psychological, biological, and other factors (Parse, 1992).

5. HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 5
Analysis of Empiric Basis of Theory
Significance
According to Fawcett (2005), significance involves the degree by which the theory has a
vital use or contribution to the field it belongs to. Significance can be divided into two: social
significance and theoretical significance. A theory is socially significant if it is able to address or
solve a problem that is of interest to society. On the other hand, a theory is theoretically
significant if it is able to address a phenomenon that is of interest to the discipline it is supposed
to cover. The theory achieves such by filling or extending gaps in a pre-existing theory regarding
a phenomenon or subject.
For Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming, significance can be seen in the fact that it is
able to address the issues of the society in terms of human need for independence, autonomy, and
participation with patient care. Indeed, in the study by (Duteau, 2010), the Human Becoming
theory was revealed to be a valuable guide for the practitioner to understand the actual
experiences of the patient and his significant others. It was also an invaluable tool in helping the
patient and the family to transcend their personal concepts of pain and loss. In addition, the said
theory is also significant theoretically because it was able to address the gaps in Martha Roger’s
Theory on the Unitary Human Being.
Internal Consistency
As discussed by Fawcett (2005), internal consistency involves the clarity as well as the
consistency of the provisions of the theory. Three main concepts fall under this criteria, namely,
structural consistency, semantic consistency, and semantic clarity. A theory is said to be
structurally consistent when its concepts are measured accurately, when there are no violations of
inductive or deductive reasoning, when there are no redundancies in the theory, and when the

6. HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 6
linkages among the different concepts are accurate as well. In addition, a theory is said to be
semantically consistent when it consistently uses the same terms and the same definitions for a
concept all throughout the discussion of the theory. More importantly, a theory is considered to
be semantically clear when all its significant concepts and ideas are clearly defined, both
operationally and theoretically.
For Parse’s Human Becoming theory, internal consistency is something that can be
observed, although later revisions on the theory may need further discussions. In terms of
semantic clarity and consistency, the theory was able to be faithful to its definitions, especially of
human becoming. The theory was also able to clearly define its terms and concepts. However, in
terms of structural consistency, Parse’s theory may have its weaknesses. Indeed, although the
theory had no violations of inductive or deductive reasoning and it had but little redundancies in
the theory, it was not able to provide a clear way by which its concepts can be measured
accurately. Also, some of the linkages in the different concepts of the theory were not accurately
related to one another.
Parsimony
Another significant criterion for analyzing a theory is Parsimony. Fawcett (2005)
discussed that Parsimony involves the simplest structure that can explain completely the
phenomenon the theory is concerned about. It also involves the simplest theory that accounts for
the most known observation. Since Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming involves an alternative
way of dealing with patient care by integrating the patient and family’s own perceptions of their
situation, it can be seen that the theory can get high marks in terms of parsimony. It is a rather
simple theory, and Parse’s summarization of the nine concepts of human becoming made it
easier to understand. However, what made the theory somehow complicated are the terms chosen

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by Parse to describe the different principles. This is especially in view of the fact that most
nursing practitioners prefer hard facts ad science especially over terms like spirituality and the
Universe. Nonetheless, the theory is able to simply explain the concept of patient need and care.
Testability
According to Fawcett (2005), testability is a criterion for analyzing theories, and it
involves the degree by which propositions and concepts of the theory can be empirically tested.
A theory is considered testable if it can be observed and measured empirically, or if its
provisions and propositions can be quantified or measured, and if the hypothesis it promotes can
be falsified. For Parse’s Human Becoming Theory, its original version provided little means by
which it can be measured or analyzed. However, later versions of the theory have allowed for a
more empirical observation of its application in the field of practice. This is especially true when
Parse introduced an aspect of the theory that guided not only nursing practice but also nursing
research. The theory provided different aspects and parameters in which it can be measured, such
as meaning, rhythmicity and transcendence, as well as illimitability, paradox, and freedom.
Empirical Adequacy
Fawcett (2005) stated that empirical adequacy is a criterion that requires that the theory
should be congruent with empirical evidences derived from research. In research, if the results of
scientific studies do not meet the hypothesis of the theory, then it goes to follow that the said
hypothesis is false. Conversely, if the results of empirical studies agree with the hypotheses of
the theory, then it can be said that the hypothesis of the study is to be accepted. More
importantly, in addressing this criterion, it should be questioned whether the theory has actually
been applied in research, and whether the results agree with the hypothesis of the theory. It
should also be assessed if there is a body of research that indicates empirical adequacy.

8. HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 8
For the case of Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming, empirical adequacy is something
that has been tried and tested in numerous researches. Different phenomenological and
qualitative studies have proven the applicability on nursing care and research of the concepts
provided by the theory. However, a great issue with the theory is that it does not provide actual
solutions to a specific problem. Although the theory provides an alternative method of nursing
care where it is the patient who makes the decision, no actual interventions or solutions are
provided. It is for this reason that although the theory may seem empirically adequate, the studies
that do utilized the Human Becoming Theory have numerous limitations and do not really use
the theory as an intervention but rather, more of an approach for analyzing facts and data.
Pragmatic Adequacy
Pragmatic adequacy, on the other hand, involves the actual applicability of the theory and
its principles. Unlike empirical adequacy which asks for the support of research on the theory,
pragmatic adequacy asks for the application of the theory in the field. In assessing a theory’s
pragmatic adequacy, Fawcett (2005) discussed that a question should be asked as to how the
theory can be actually applied in nursing practice.
Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming provides a valuable way of dealing with patients in
such a way that the patient becomes an active participant in the care planning process, and not
just a recipient. However, George (2010) mentioned that in terms of practice, the human
Becoming theory is not really compatible with the Nursing Process, since the theory does not
seek to solve problems, but only to understand them. In a way, this can be beneficial for the
patient since the theory removes the paternalistic approach of the traditional Nursing Process.
However, it can become a complication for the nurse since she would not have a solid direction
or plan for the actual care of the patient, and nursing care can then be compromised.

9. HUMAN BECOMING THEORY 9
Bibliography
Duteau, J. (2010). Understanding the lived experience of loss and grieving in persons with end
stage renal disease: A humanbecoming approach. The CANNT (Canadian Association of
Nephrology Nurses and Technologists) Journal , 20 (2), 18-22.
Fawcett, J. (2005). Criteria for Evaluation of Nursing Theory. Nurs Sci Q , 18, 13.
George, J. B. (2010). Nursing Theories. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.,.
Kozier, B., Erb, G. L., Berman, A., Snyder, S., Lake, R., & et al., .. (2008). Fundamentals of
nursing : concepts, process and practice. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Parse, R. R. (1992). Human Becoming: Parse's Theory of Nursing. Nurs Sci Q , 5 (1), 35-42.