Describe each theory, including some history about the person who developed the theory and the major ideas and applications of the theory. Describe the ways in which the two theories are similar and how they differ.

Comparing and Contrasting Two Mental Health Theories

Every human being behaves differently. The reasoning behind the behaviors of people was not completely understood until the late 1800s when psychological models and theories were developed. Many different theories were established by different theorists, helping provide explanations for our behaviors, feelings, and thoughts.

Abraham Maslow, an American Psychologist, was a professor at many different universities where he stressed the importance of focusing on the positive qualities in people as opposed to treating them as a “bag of symptoms” (Hoffman, 1988). He developed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory in 1954. This theory places needs on a pyramid, the most basic and important ones being on the lower levels and the more distinctly human needs placed on the top levels. Once the lower-level needs are met, the upper-level needs can emerge. The very bottom level is the physiological needs, consisting of food, water, oxygen, elimination, rest, and sex. As we go up through the pyramid, safety needs come next. These are security, protection, stability, structure, order, and limits. These are followed by the love and belonging needs such as affiliation, affectionate relationships, and love. After that comes esteem needs, which consist of self-esteem related to competency, achievement, and esteem from others. Self-actualization needs to follow, which is becoming everything one is capable of. At the very top sits self-transcend needs. This experience is when a person experiences a sense of identity extending beyond the personal self (Varcarolis, 2009). This theory could be used quite often in nursing practice. The nurse can use this hierarchy to determine what needs have been met and what needs still need to be met in order for the patient to feel satisfied with themselves.

Another theory is the Theory of Psychosocial Development, created by Erik Erikson. Erik- son, was a child psychoanalyst who explained that development occurs in eight predetermined life stages. The levels of success of each stage relate to the previous stage. The first stage, Trust vs. Mistrust, lasts from birth to 1.5 years of age. During this time frame, the emphasis is on the parents’ nurturing and ability to care for their child. This includes physical touch. If successful, this stage will help develop trust, confidence, and security. If the child is not nurtured, they may develop insecurity, worthlessness, and mistrust of those around them. The next stage is autonomy vs. shame/doubt, occurring from 1.5 to three years of age, where the child will learn skills and build self-esteem. The child may feel shame if they are unable to learn certain skills. Next up is the initiative vs. guilt stage. This stage lasts from 3 years of age to 5 years of age and is when children expand their imagination, curiosity, and fantasies. A conscience is established, and this is when the child may develop thoughts that they are a bad person. Industry vs. Inferiority follows during the ages of six to twelve, when the child develops a competitive drive, leading to confidence. New knowledge and skills are developed, as well as the ability to accept instruction. This is also a social development stage, and feelings of Inferiority may arise if a child feels they are not recognized. The next stage is identity vs. role confusion, occurring during the ages of 12 to 20. This is where the adolescent begins to discover their own identity and develop a sense of right from wrong. This is where the adolescent often struggles to fit in, which can cause them to experience role confusion.

Reference

Hoffman, Edward (1988). The Right to be Human: A Biography of Abraham Maslow. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Varcarolis, E. M. (2009). Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care(3rd ed.). St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier.