Martha Rogers

1914 - 1994
 BACKGROUND
• American nurse, researcher, theorist, and
author.
• Known for developing the Science of
Unitary Human Beings
• Believes that a patient can never be
separated from environment when
addressing health and treatmentBorn:
May 12, 1914, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Died: March 13 , 1994
 BACKGROUND
• Education:
Knoxville General Hospital School of
Nursing, 1936
Public Health Nursing: George
Peabody College, 1937
Master of Arts, Teacher: Columbia
University, New York, 1945
Doctorate in Nursing: Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, 1954
 BACKGROUND
• Work:
Assistant Supervisor, Assistant
Education Director, Acting Director of
Education: Hartford, CT at the Visiting Nurse
Association, 1940
Visiting Lecturer at a Catholic
University in Washington, DC.
Professor and Head of the Division of
Nursing at New York University
 BACKGROUND
• Publications:
Theoretical Basis of Nursing (Rogers
1970)
Nursing science and art: A prospective
(Rogers 1988)
Nursing: Science of Unitary,
Irreducible, Human Beings (Rogers 1990) •
Vision of Space Based Nursing
(Rogers 1990)
Science of
Unitary
Human
Beings
• In 1970, Rogers’ conceptual mode of nursing rested
on a set of basic assumptions that described the life
process in human beings; wholeness, openness,
undirectinoality, pattern and organization, sentience
and thought characterized the life process (Rogers,
1970)

• Rogers postulates that human beings are dynamic

energy fields that are integral with envitonmental
fields. Both human and environmental fields are
identified by pattern and characterized by a universe
of open systems.

• In her 1983 paradigm, Rogers postulated four

building blocks for her model; energy field, a
universe of open systems, pattern, and four-
dimensionality.
• Rogers consistently updated the conceptual model
through revision of the homeodynamic principles.
Such changes corresponded with scientific and
technological advances. In 1983 Rogers changes
her wording from that of unitary man to unitary
human being, to remove the concept of gender.
Additional clarification of unitary human being as
separate and different from the term holistic stressed
the unique contribution of nursing to health care. In
1992, four-dimensionality evolved into
pandimensionality. Rogers’ fundamental postulates
have remained consistent since their introduction;
her subsequent writings served to clarify her original
ideas.
 Energy field
• The Unitary Human Being (human field) is defined
as an irreducible, indivisible, paradimensional energy
field identified by pattern and manifesting
characteristics that are specific to the whole and that
cannot be predicted from knowledge of the parts. The
Environmental Field is defined as an irreducible,
pandimensional energy field identified by pattern and
integral with the human field. Each environmental field
is specific to its given human field. Each environmental
field is specific to its given human field. Although not
necessarily quantifiable, an energy field has the
inherent ability to create change. 9Todaro-
Franceschi. 2008) In this case both human and
environmental fields change continuously, creatively,
and integrally (Rogers, 1994)
 Universe of Open
Systems
• The concept of universe of open systems
holds that energy fields are infinite, open
and integral with one another (Rogers,
1983) the human and environmental fields
are in continuous process and are open
systems.
 Use of Empirical
Evidence
• Being an abstract conceptual system, the
Science of Unitary Human beings does not
directly identify testable empirical indicators

• Evident in her model is the of Einstein’s

theory of relativity in relation to space-time
and the Burr and Northrop’s electrodynamic
theory relating to electrical fields
• Continuing of the development within
other disciplines of the acausal,
nonlinear dynamics of life validated
Rogers model. Most notable of this
development is that the chaos theory,
quantum physics contribution to the
science of complexity (or wholeness)
 Major
Assumptions of
Martha Rogers
• (1) Man is a unified whole possessing his own integrity
and manifesting characteristics that are more than and
different from the sum of his parts.
• (2) Man and environment are continuously exchanging
matter and energy with one another.
• (3) The life process evolves irreversibly and
unidirectionally along the space-time continuum.
• (4) Pattern and organization identify man and reflect his
innovative wholeness.
• (5) Man is characterized by the capacity for abstraction
and imagery, language and thought, sensation and
emotion.
 Principle of
Homeodynamics
• The principles of homeodynamics describe
the nature and direction of change
Three Principles
– Resonancy
– Helicy
– Integrality
 Principle of
Homeodynamics
• Resonancy – The constant change in
flow from a lower to a higher frequency.
It is a flow of energy between people
and everything around them.
 Principle of
Homeodynamics
• Helicy – any small change in any of the
environmental fields causes a ripple effect
which creates larger changes in other fields.
It is basically continuous evolution or change
that results from the interaction of human-
environment field. Change is constant and
unpredictable. Explains the fact that many
forces are mutually interacting and constantly
evolving that affect health.
 Principle of
Homeodynamics
• Integrality – Human and environmental
energy fields that are mutually and
continuously changing-we effect our
environment and our environment effects
us.
 Local forms
• Rogers uses a dialectic method as
opposed to a logistical, problematical or
operational method; that is Rogers
explains nursing by referring to broader
principles that explain human beings. She
explains human beings through principles
that characterize the universe, based on
the perspective of a whole that organizes
the parts.
 Local forms
• Rogers’ model of unitary human beings is
deductive and logical. The theory of
relativity, the general system theory, the
electrodynamic theory of life and many
more theories contributed ideas for
Rogers’ model.
Acceptance by the
Nursing
Community
• Improved patient-centered practice
• Allows nurses to assess patients based on their
psychosocial functioning in the world
• Explained the importance of an individual and its
connection to the environment or society
• A person is integral to the environment in which a
patient can’t be separated from his environment
when addressing health and treatment
• Her conceptual framework has greatly influenced all
aspects of nursing
 Further
development
Rogers believed that knowledge development within her
model was a “never-ending process”
Three rudimentary theories:
1. Theory of accelerating evolution – exploration of how
patients, particularly those who are elderly, perceive the
passage of time.
 Further
development
2. Theory of rhythmical correlates change – focuses on
human and environmental energy field rhythms, which
“are not to be confused with biologic rhythm or
psychologic rhythm”
3. Theory of paranormal phenomena – provides
explanation for precognition, déjà vu, clairvoyance, and
telepath
 critique
• There were early criticisms of the model with
comments such as difficult-to-understand
principles, lack of operational definitions, and
inadequate tools for measurement.
• Roger’s conceptual model is abstract and
therefore generalize and powerful
• Roger’s science has the fundamental intent of
understanding human evolution and its potential
for human betterment.