Human systems theory proposes that: 1) Human needs drive behavior and social interaction, and systems must respond to needs to maintain stability. 2) Maslow's hierarchy of needs theorizes that people seek to fulfill basic needs before moving to other needs levels. 3) Change theory states that change occurs when driving forces for change outweigh restraining forces, moving a system from equilibrium through three stages - unfreezing, changing, and refreezing.

1. Nonnursing
theories

2. 2

3. 
“Human needs are a powerful source of
explanation of human behaviour and
social interaction. All individuals have
needs that they strive to satisfy, either by
using the system acting on the fringes or
acting as a reformist or revolutionary.
Given this condition, social systems must
be responsive to individual needs, or be
subject to instability and forced change
(possibly through violence or conflict).”
3

4. Maslow
Burton
Rosenberg
Max Neef
Food, water, shelter
(1)
Distributive justice
Physical
Nurturance
Subsistence
Safety and security
(2)
Safety, Security
Interdependence
Protection
Belonging or love
(3)
Belongingness
Love Integrity
Affection
Self-esteem (4)
Self-esteem
Autonomy
Understanding
Personal fulfilment
(5)
Personal fulfilment
Play
Creation
Identity
Celebration and
mourning
Identity
Cultural security
Spiritual
Communion
Leisure, Idleness
Freedom
Participation
Freedom
Participation
4

5. 


Maslow’s theory assumes that a person attempts
to satisfy the more basic needs before directing
behavior toward satisfying upper-level needs.
Lower-order needs must be satisfied before a
higher-order need begins to control a person’s
behavior.
A satisfied need ceases to motivate.
5

7. CHANGE THEORY
This theory depends on the presence
of driving and resistant forces. The driving
forces are the change agents who push
employees in the direction of change. The
resistant forces are employees or nurses
who do not want the proposed change. For
this theory to be successful, the driving
force must dominate the resistant force.

8.  Driving
Forces are forces that
push in a direction that causes
change to occur.
 They
cause a shift in the
equilibrium towards change.

9.  Restraining
forces are forces that
counter driving forces. They oppose
change.
 Restraining forces cause a shift in
the equilibrium which opposes
change

10.  Equilibrium
is a state of being where
driving forces equal restraining forces
and no change occurs
 Equilibrium can be raised or lowered
by changes that occur between the
driving and restraining forces

12. Consists of three distinct and vital
stages:
 Unfreezing
 Moving to a new level or Changing
 Refreezing

15. A group of interacting, interrelated, or
interdependent elements or parts that
function together as a whole to
accomplish a goal.
• Large systems contain many subsystems
•

16. Synergy
 Interdependence
 Interconnections

◦ within the organization
◦ between the organization and the
environment
Organization as ORGANISM
 “A set of elements standing in
inter-relations”


17. 1.
All phenomena can be viewed as a web
of relationships among elements.
2.
All systems have common patterns,
behaviors, and properties that can be
understood and used to develop
greater insight into the behavior of
complex phenomena.