Name: KRISTINA ANGEL B. PANGANIBAN Date:Dec.

06, 2025
Year&Section: BSN-1E

SIGMUND FREUD – PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory explains that human behavior is strongly influenced

by the unconscious mind, which contains hidden memories, fears, desires, and
conflicts. According to Freud, the mind has three parts: the Id, which seeks pleasure
and satisfies basic instincts; the Ego, which deals with reality and makes decisions;
and the Superego, which represents moral values and rules. These three parts
constantly interact and sometimes cause internal conflicts.

Freud also introduced five psychosexual stages of development: Oral, Anal, Phallic,
Latency, and Genital. Each stage focuses on a different source of pleasure and
development. Unresolved conflicts in any stage can influence personality and
behavior later in life. Freud believed that early childhood experiences especially
relationships with parents shape a person’s emotional and psychological
development.

Another major idea is that humans are driven by instincts, especially sexual and
aggressive energies. Freud also believed that people use defense mechanisms (like
denial, repression, and projection) to protect themselves from painful thoughts or
feelings.

Freud’s framework shows that much of human behavior is guided by thoughts and
desires we are not aware of. His theory explains personality as a result of
interactions among the Id, Ego, and Superego. As individuals grow, they pass
through the psychosexual stages. If conflicts during these stages are not resolved,
the person may develop fixations or emotional difficulties in adulthood.

The framework also highlights how unconscious conflicts affect emotions, thoughts,
and actions. Psychoanalysis Freud’s therapeutic method aims to make the
unconscious mind conscious so that people can understand themselves better and
resolve their inner struggles.
From what I have learned about this theory, Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory gave me
a deeper understanding of why people behave the way they do. It made me realize
that many actions, emotions, or reactions may come from hidden thoughts or past
experiences that a person may not even remember. For example, someone may fear
something without knowing the real reason behind it, and this fear might come from
childhood experiences stored in the unconscious mind. This theory helped me
understand that human behavior is more complex than what we see on the surface.

Learning about the Id, Ego, and Superego also helped me understand the internal
conflicts people experience every day. Sometimes we want to do something
pleasurable (Id), but reality stops us (Ego), or our moral values tell us it is wrong
(Superego). This balance explains why people struggle with decisions and emotions.
It made me more aware that individuals are always trying to find balance within
themselves.

Understanding the psychosexual stages also showed me how childhood experiences

shape personality. If a child faces problems or lacks support during a certain stage, it
may affect their confidence, relationships, or emotional health later. This made me
appreciate how important early care and parenting are in a person’s life.

Overall, this theory helped me become more empathetic. It reminds me not to judge
people quickly because their behavior may be influenced by hidden pain or past
experiences. As a future caregiver or professional, this theory teaches me to be
patient, understanding, and supportive because every person carries unseen
struggles inside them.
Erik Erikson – Psychosocial Theory

Erik Erikson’s major concepts focus on how people grow and change from infancy to
old age. His theory explains that development happens in eight stages, and each
stage has a psychosocial crisis or challenge that a person must face. These
challenges are important because they help shape a person’s personality and
understanding of themselves. Each crisis is a turning point where a person can grow
stronger or experience difficulty.

When someone is able to overcome a crisis in a healthy way, they develop virtues,
which are positive strengths. These virtues include hope, willpower, purpose,
competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom. Each one prepares a person for the
next stage of life and helps them face future problems with more confidence. These
virtues guide a person’s behavior, choices, and relationships.

A very important part of Erikson’s theory is identity formation, which happens

mostly during adolescence. During this stage, teenagers begin to explore who they
are, what they believe in, and what kind of person they want to become. This identity
stage is a big turning point because it influences many areas of life, including career
choices, values, and relationships. Erikson’s theory highlights how confusing and
emotional this stage can be for young people.

Erikson also explains that development does not stop in childhood. His idea of
lifespan development means that people continue to learn, grow, and change
throughout their entire lives. Each stage brings new challenges, but also new
opportunities for growth. His concepts help us understand how different
experiences—from childhood to adulthood—shape who we eventually become.

The theory also explains that each stage of life has a conflict such as trust,
autonomy, initiative, identity, intimacy, generativity, and integrity. These conflicts are
normal and necessary for psychological growth. If a person resolves a crisis
successfully, they develop positive personality traits. If they struggle or fail, they may
carry emotional difficulties into later stages of life.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory helped me understand that people grow and change
throughout their entire lives. It is not only children who develop—adults also face
challenges that shape who they become. Each stage has its own struggle, like
learning trust, becoming independent, finding identity, building relationships, and
creating meaning in life. This shows me that human development is continuous and
deeply connected.

I also learned that social relationships play a very big role in shaping personality.
Family, friends, school, and the community all influence how a person grows and
responds to challenges. The idea of virtues made me appreciate how much we gain
when we overcome life’s struggles—such as hope, purpose, love, and wisdom. This
theory also reminds me to be more understanding toward others because each
person is facing their own crises and stages.

As a future healthcare provider, this theory teaches me the importance of supporting

patients according to their developmental needs. Teenagers may need guidance with
identity, adults may need support with relationships or purpose, and elderly patients
may need help with reflection and acceptance. Overall, Erikson’s theory gives me a
better understanding of how people evolve emotionally and socially, and it
encourages me to be patient, empathetic, and supportive in caring for others.
Jean Piaget – Theory of Cognitive Development

In my personal understanding of this, Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

explains how children learn and think as they grow. One important idea is schema,
which means the mental frameworks or ideas we use to understand the world. When
children face new information, they either use assimilation by fitting it into what they
already know, or accommodation by changing their old ideas to understand the new
information. Equilibration happens when children balance what they know with new
experiences, helping them learn more effectively.

Piaget also described four stages of development. The Sensorimotor stage is when
babies learn through their senses and actions. The Preoperational stage is when
children use symbols and imagination but still see the world from their own
perspective. The Concrete Operational stage allows logical thinking about real
situations. Finally, the Formal Operational stage is when adolescents and adults can
think abstractly and reason about ideas. This theory helps me understand how
learning grows step by step.

Piaget explains that children learn through experiences and develop thinking in four
stages. Each stage represents a new level of understanding. Children actively
explore, experiment, and build knowledge. Development must follow each stage; it
cannot be rushed or skipped.

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development helped me understand how children think

and learn. It shows that learning is not instant but grows step by step. Each stage
has unique abilities, and children cannot think like adults right away. For example,
babies learn through touching and exploring, while older children start to reason and
understand ideas more deeply. This helps me appreciate why teaching must be
appropriate to a child’s age and stage.

I realized that children are not “small adults.” They see the world differently
depending on their development. Piaget also taught me that mistakes are part of
learning. When children face new information, they adjust their thinking through
assimilation and accommodation. This process helps them build stronger knowledge.

This theory is helpful for future nurses and teachers because it guides how we
communicate with children. We need patience, clear instructions, and
age-appropriate explanations. It also reminds me that children learn best through
hands-on experiences, curiosity, and discovery.

Understanding Piaget’s stages makes me more aware of how to support children’s

growth. It teaches me to respect their pace and give activities that match their level
of thinking.

Overall, Piaget’s theory gives me a deeper understanding of how intelligence and

thinking develop from childhood to adulthood. It makes me appreciate how important
early experiences are in shaping how people learn and understand the world.
Kristen Swanson – Theory of Caring

Swanson’s caring processes show what true caring means in nursing. The first
process, maintaining belief, is about believing that every patient has the strength to
face challenges and recover. When nurses trust in their patients’ ability to heal, it
gives the patient hope and courage. The second process, knowing, means taking
time to understand the patient’s situation, feelings, and point of view. This helps
nurses give care that truly fits what the patient needs.

The third process, being with, teaches the importance of presence. Sometimes, just
staying beside a patient, listening, or showing concern can make them feel
supported and less alone. The fourth process, doing for, reminds me that nurses
must help patients with tasks they cannot do themselves. This should be done with
respect, gentleness, and skill so the patient feels safe.

Lastly, enabling means guiding and teaching the patient so they can adjust, make
decisions, and take care of themselves. It helps them become stronger and more
independent. Overall, these caring processes show that nursing is not just about
physical care but also emotional support, understanding, and believing in the
patient’s ability to grow and heal.

Swanson’s theory follows five caring processes. The nurse begins by believing in the
patient, then seeks to understand them. The nurse stays present through emotional
support, performs tasks the patient cannot do, and finally enables the patient to gain
strength and independence. This creates holistic, compassionate care.

Swanson’s Theory of Caring taught me that being a nurse is more than performing
procedures. It is about forming meaningful human connections. Caring requires
understanding the patient’s situation and respecting their emotions, values, and
experiences. Knowing the patient helps nurses provide care that fits their needs, not
just their illness.

Being with the patient is also important. Sometimes just sitting beside a patient or
listening to them can provide comfort and trust. Doing for the patient reminds me to
give care with gentleness, skill, and respect. It ensures that even if patients cannot
care for themselves, they still feel dignity and safety.

Enabling is another process that helps patients grow. Nurses teach, guide, and
support patients so they can take control of their health. Lastly, maintaining belief
encourages nurses to trust that patients can heal and rise above challenges.

Swanson’s theory helps me understand that caring touches the patient’s mind, heart,
and spirit—not only the body. It guides me to be patient, compassionate, and
understanding. This theory will help me become a nurse who values kindness and
presence in every interaction.
Katharine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort

Katharine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort explains that comfort is an important need of

every patient. Comfort is not only about physical relief but also about emotional
support, spiritual peace, and a safe and pleasant environment. According to
Kolcaba, patients have different health care needs, and when these needs are not
met, their comfort decreases. Nurses play an important role by giving comforting
interventions, such as reducing pain, listening to the patient, or improving the room
environment.

The theory also talks about intervening variables, which are factors the nurse cannot
fully control, like the patient’s culture, family situation, or illness. Even with these
limitations, nurses still try to provide the best care possible. When comfort needs are
properly met, patients experience enhanced comfort, which helps them feel calm,
supported, and safe. This leads to health-seeking behaviors, where patients
cooperate more, follow treatment better, and recover faster.

Kolcaba also highlights the importance of best practices and best policies, which are
guidelines that help nurses consistently provide effective comfort care. She
describes three types of comfort—relief, ease, and transcendence—which happen in
different contexts like physical, emotional, environmental, and sociocultural areas.
Overall, the theory shows that comfort is a central part of good nursing care.

The nurse begins by carefully checking what the patient needs to feel comfortable.
This includes looking at physical needs like pain or tiredness, emotional needs like
fear or stress, and even environmental needs like noise, room temperature, or
cleanliness. After understanding what the patient lacks, the nurse chooses the right
comforting interventions. These can be giving pain medicine, offering emotional
support, fixing the bed, adjusting the lights, or simply listening. Every action is aimed
at helping the patient feel safe, calm, and cared for.

The nurse also considers different factors that may affect the patient’s comfort.
These are called influencing variables. They include things like the patient’s culture,
beliefs, financial situation, family support, or the seriousness of their illness. Even
though the nurse cannot control these factors, understanding them helps in giving
care that matches the patient’s background and needs. After giving comfort care, the
nurse observes and evaluates if the patient’s comfort has improved.

When the patient feels more comfortable, they usually show better health behaviors.
They cooperate with treatments, follow instructions, and feel more motivated to heal.
Best practices and policies in the hospital help make sure every patient receives
consistent comfort care. This means that all nurses use reliable, evidence-based
methods so that comfort becomes a normal and important part of everyday nursing
practice.

Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort helped me understand that comfort is not only about
giving medicine to relieve pain. Comfort is a whole-body and whole-person
experience. It includes physical relief, emotional peace, spiritual support, and even
having a clean and safe environment. Small actions like fixing the patient’s bed,
talking kindly, or listening to their worries can greatly improve comfort. This theory
makes me realize that comfort is not a simple task but a human need that must be
addressed in all areas of care

The idea of intervening variables teaches me that every patient is different. Culture,
family, financial status, and beliefs all affect how they feel comfort. This reminds me
to give personalized care. The theory also helped me understand how comfort leads
to healing. When patients feel comfortable, they participate more in treatment and
feel stronger mentally and emotionally.

Kolcaba’s theory also shows the importance of creating policies in hospitals to

ensure comfort care is always practiced. This gives nurses guidance on how to
maintain holistic care. Overall, this theory inspires me to care with compassion,
empathy, and awareness. It reminds me that comfort is a big part of nursing and a
powerful tool in healing.

LAWRENCE KOHLBERG – THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development explains how people learn right and wrong
as they grow. It is based on three major levels, each containing two stages. The first
level is Pre-conventional Morality, usually seen in young children. At this level,
moral decisions are based on punishment and personal benefits. Stage 1 focuses on
obedience and avoiding punishment, while Stage 2 centers on individual interests
and what a person can gain.

The second level is Conventional Morality, where people follow rules to fit into
society. Stage 3 involves being “good” to gain approval, while Stage 4 focuses on
following laws and maintaining social order. At this level, people want to be accepted
and behave according to what society expects.

The last level is Post-conventional Morality, where moral reasoning is based on

personal principles and justice. Stage 5 focuses on social contracts and protecting
individual rights. Stage 6 involves following universal ethical principles such as
fairness, equality, and human rights, even if it means disobeying laws.

Kohlberg’s framework shows that moral development grows step by step throughout
life. His theory is inspired by Piaget but extends to adulthood. Kohlberg used stories
with moral dilemmas—especially the famous Heinz Dilemma—to understand how
people reason about right and wrong. What mattered was not the answer but the
reason behind it.

The theory states that people move through levels as they develop mentally and
socially. Young children focus on avoiding punishment, older children follow rules to
fit in, and adults may think about justice and human rights. Progress through stages
depends on thinking ability, experiences, and social interaction. Not everyone
reaches the highest stage, but everyone grows through some of the stages as they
mature.

Based on what I understand about this topic, Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral

Development helped me realize how people’s sense of right and wrong changes as
they grow older. It showed me that morality is not something we learn all at once—it
develops slowly through experience, thinking, and judgment. The idea that children
first follow rules to avoid punishment makes sense because young minds focus on
consequences. As people grow, they start caring more about relationships, approval,
and social rules.

What stood out to me most is the highest level, where people think beyond rules and
focus on justice and personal principles. This level shows maturity because a person
can look beyond what society tells them and think deeply about what is truly fair and
humane. It made me understand that moral development is not just about obeying
rules but understanding why something is right or wrong.

Reflecting on this theory, I realized how important it is to develop strong values.

Experiences, education, and interactions with others help shape our moral thinking.
This theory also reminds me to be patient with people because everyone is at a
different moral stage based on age, maturity, and life experiences.

Overall, Kohlberg’s work inspires me to think more deeply before making moral
decisions. It encourages me to aim for higher reasoning, where choices are based
on fairness, respect, and human dignity—not just rules or personal gain.