Chapter 4
Understanding People
GOALS
- Recognize factors that can influence the way human beings behave.
- Name four stages of the life cycle and describe one common behavior in each stage.
- Identify three developmental tasks of aging.
- Identify five basic human needs and give examples of each.
- Describe one way a nurse assistant can meet each of the five basic needs.
- Discuss the factors that make up human sexuality.
- Develop strategies for responding to sexual behaviors.
Key Terms
Human Behavior
Behind every behavior is a reason. Understanding the four major influencing areas—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive—helps you respond appropriately and provide better care.
- Physical: automatic responses, health conditions, heredity, handedness, gender.
- Social: family and culture expectations, peer approval, roles labeled “masculine/feminine.”
- Emotional: feelings such as anger, sadness, embarrassment influencing actions.
- Cognitive: what a person knows, remembers, believes and reasons about.
How Growth and Development Influence Behavior
All people progress through the life cycle: infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, school age, adolescence, young adult, middle adult, and older adult. Growth moves head‑to‑toe and simple‑to‑complex; development is shaped by environment, relationships, and cognition.
This chapter details physical, social/emotional, and cognitive traits across stages. Use these as guidelines, not strict rules—people progress at different rates.
How Basic Human Needs Influence Behavior
Maslow’s framework groups needs into five ascending levels. Lower‑level needs must be reasonably satisfied before higher‑level needs become priorities.
| Level | Examples | How You Can Help |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Air, food, water, sleep, exercise, elimination, touch, sex | Serve meals; refill water; enable rest; assist with mobility; answer call signals quickly; provide comforting items. |
| Security | Safety, protection, shelter, clothing, help | Lock wheelchair brakes; ensure glasses/hearing aids are used; check often on dependent residents; adjust doors for privacy. |
| Social | Approval, acceptance, affection, love, family/friends | Listen with interest; introduce people; encourage visits and calls; help join activities. |
| Esteem | Rewards, success, possessions, self‑respect | Notice improvements; praise accomplishments; support independence and choice. |
| Self‑fulfillment | Personal excellence, achievement, independence | Enable earlier needs so the person can pursue personal goals and meaning. |
The Needs of a Nurse Assistant
Your own needs matter. If your needs are unmet (food, rest, security), it’s harder to provide excellent care. Seek balance—recognize when you need support so you can support others well.
How Human Sexuality Influences Behavior
Sexuality includes sensuality, intimacy, sexual identity, and sexualization. People of all ages—including older adults and those with illness or disability—have sexual needs and the right to privacy and respect.
- Be sensitive to body image; offer choices in clothing and grooming; focus on positive attributes.
- Provide privacy for intimate moments or masturbation; never shame or judge.
- Decline any advances firmly and respectfully; maintain professional boundaries.
- Treat all people—including LGBTQ+ residents—with equal respect and confidentiality.
- Report suspected sexual abuse or harassment to your supervising nurse immediately.