central feature of much of this theory. The concept of person, however, has not remained central in all nursing theory, nor does the concept play a prominent role in all nursing research. By contrast, however, the concept of person continues as the central emphasis in nursing practice.
Logical positivism and behaviorism influenced the development of nursing theory (Flynn and Heffron, 1988, pp. 62-63; Nicoll, 1986, pp. 214, 357). Logical positivism introduced a verificationist perspective into nursing theory development, while behaviorism caused nursing theorists to seek an understanding of the actions of both patients and care givers (Nicoll, 1986, pp. 282-283, 338). The nursing theory of Hildegard Peplau incorporated aspects of both behaviorism and logical positivism. Peplau's theory was the theory of psychodynamic nursing which is an interpersonal theory of nursing that is highly compatible with both the practice of nursing and nursing research (Bower, Webb, and Stevens, 1994, pp. 272-276).
Peplau (1952, pp. 3-4) developed the theory of psychodynamic nursing. According to Peplau, psychodynamic nursing involves the use of one's (the nurse) knowledge and understanding of one's own behavior to help others (patients) identify felt difficulties, and the application of human relations to problems that arise at all levels of experience. This interpersonal process is defined within the context of four phases of the nurse-patient relationship--orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution. Although each phase of this relationship is defined separately, Peplau recognized that considerable overlap existed between the phases.
Nursing theory development since the advent of Peplau's theory has intensified. Behaviorism has continued to play a role in this theory development, however, the concept of holism has assumed an ever expanding importance in nursing theory (Blattner, 1981, pp. 22-31; Nicoll, 1986, p. 379). The ...