This original theory, however, contained two limiting assumptions. First, it assumed that adaptation was the end state achieved after a person coped with their uncertainty (Mischel, 1990). As the author states, this is an issue because the original theory does not allow for growth and change of adaptation and stability following a person’s experience with uncertainty. Individuals living with chronic illnesses or illnesses that could recur, must live with enduring uncertainty that may evolve into a new state compared to what previously existed (Mischel, 1990). Secondly, the author shares that her original theory does not address temporal variability, ultimately, it does not address how nonlinear impacts such as outside social support, and help from healthcare providers affects uncertainty over a long period. Therefore, Mischel created the RUIT to include a perspective of how the uncertainty of a person evolves over time into a new value system (Mischel, 1990). It is assumed with this revised model that uncertainty will continue throughout a person’s chronic illness or time that an illness can …show more content…
As Mishel states, the appraisal of uncertainty is composed of two components: Either inference or illusion. Mishel explains that general experience, knowledge, contextual cues, and personality dispositions are used by a person to relate their own previous life examples to their current situation of uncertainty. On the other hand, Mishel defines illusion as the development of a positive outlook from their uncertainty. The third theme of the RUIT is coping with uncertainty which includes: Coping, adaptation, danger, and opportunity (****BOOK). As Mishel states, a person adapts when they act within their normal range of behaviors. When a person focuses on a negative outcome of uncertainty, danger is possible (Bailey et al., 2007). An outcome that is positive often leads to opportunity. Lastly, the continual coping of uncertainty is adaptation.
The major concepts of the RUIT include: Uncertainty, cognitive schema, self-organization, and probabilistic thinking (Smith & Liehr, 2014). These theoretical abstract concepts consist of symbols and ideas. Reconceptualization is placed at the philosophical and theoretical level (Smith & Liehr, 2014). The RUIT is grounded on beliefs of the interactive-integrative paradigm. All these points collectively placing the RUIT and