)001 MCN( GNISRUN FO NOITADNUOF LACITEROEHT

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY-PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND ALLIED MEDICAL SCIENCES
MABINI EXTENSION, CABANATUAN CITY

Dorothy
Johnson's
Behavioral
System Model

Group Six I Report

 Topics for discussion

Core Concepts

Nursing
Dorothy Johnson
History and Background
The Behavioral System Theory
Major Concepts and definitions
Summary
Theoretical Sources
 "Nursing is an external regulatory
force that acts to preserve the
organization and integration of
Johnson's theory of Nursing

the patient's behavior at an

optimal level under those
conditions in which the behavior
constitutes a threat to a physical
or social health or in which illness
is found."
Johnson, 1980
 "THE GOAL OF NURSING IS
TO RESTORE, MAINTAIN OR
ATTAIN BEHAVIORAL
What is the goal INTEGRITY, SYSTEM
of nursing? STABILITY, ADJUSTMENT
AND ADAPTION, EFFICIENT
according to Johnson (1980)
AND EFFECTIVE
FUNCTIONING OF THE
SYSTEM."

NCM 100
 DOROTHY JOHNSON
Born on August 21, 1919, in Savannah, Georgia
BSN: Graduated from Vanderbilt University in
Nashville, Tennessee in 1942
Master's Degree in Public Health: Graduated
from Harvard University in Boston at 1948
An assistant professor of pediatric nursing,
associate professor of nursing, and a professor
of nursing at the University of California in Los
Angeles from 1949 and retired in 1978
Stressed the important of research-based
knowledge about the effect of nursing care on
clients

THEORETICAL FOUNDATION OF NURSING (NCM 100)

 Youngest in a family of seven
Her father was the superintendent of a
Johnson is known for her Behavior
shrimp and oyster factory and her
System Model of Nursing, which was first
mother was very involved and enjoyed
proposed in 1968
reading
Johnson was proudest of the 1975
In 1938, she completed an associate
Faculty Award from graduate students.
degree from Armstrong Junior College
1977- Lulu Hassenplug Distinguished
but after that, because of finances, took
Achievement Award from the California
a year off from academic studies and
Nurses’ Association. She withdrew from
became a governess for two children in
the academe as a Professor Emeritus at
Miami, Florida. It was during this time
January 1, 1978
that she decided on a career that would
1981- Vanderbilt University School of
encompass nursing, children and
Nursing Award for Excellence in Nursing.
education.
Died in February 1999 at the age of 80

NCM 100: HISTORY & BACKGROUND

 "THE CLIENT IS A
LIVING OPEN
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SYSTEM; A
The COLLECTION OF
Behavioral BEHAVIORAL
SUBSYSTEMS THAT
Theory
INTERRELATE TO
by Dorothy Johnson
FORM A
BEHAVIORAL
SYSTEM."
 First proposed in 1968
It advocates the fostering of
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efficient and effective behavioral

The functioning in the patient to
prevent illness
Behavioral The patient is defined as a
Theory behavioral system composed of
seven behavioral subsystems:
by Dorothy Johnson
Affiliative, Dependency, Ingestive,
Eliminative, Sexual, Aggressive,
and Achievement.
 Each subsystem also has three
functional requirements which
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include: (1) Protection from

The noxious influences, (2) Provision
for a nurturing environment, and
Behavioral (3) Stimulation for growth.
An imbalance in each system
Theory
results in disequilibrium.
by Dorothy Johnson The nurse’s role is to help the
patient maintain his or
her equilibrium.
 Johnson's Nursing
Model states that
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“Each individual has

The
patterned, purposeful,
Behavioral
repetitive ways of
Theory acting that comprises a
by Dorothy Johnson behavioral system
specific to that
individual.”
THEORETICAL SOURCES

JOHNSON'S BEHAVIORAL SYSTEM MODEL WAS GREATLY INFLUENCED

BY FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE'S BOOK, "NOTES IN NURSING."
SHE ACCEPTED NIGHTINGALE'S BELIEF THAT THE FIRST CONCERN OF
NURSING IS WITH THE "RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PERSON WHO IS
ILL AND THE ENVIRONMENT, NOT WITH THE ILLNESS."
JOHNSON ALSO USED WORKS OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS IN
PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY TO DEVELOP HER
THEORY.
TALCOTT PARSONS' SOCIAL ACTION THEORY (1951, 1964) ALSO
INFLUENCED JOHNSON'S MODEL
THEORETICAL SOURCES

ONE OF THE STRENGTHS OF HER THEORY IS THE CONSISTENT

INTEGRATION OF CONCEPTS DEFINING BEHAVIORAL SYSTEMS DRAWN
FROM GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY
JOHNSON WROTE THAT NURSING CONTRIBUTES BY FACILITATING
BEHAVIORAL FUNCTIONING IN THE PATIENT BEFORE, DURING AND
AFTER ILLNESS.
SHE USED CONCEPTS SUCH AS SOCIAL LEARNING, MOTIVATION,
SENSORY STIMULATION, ADAPTATION, BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION,
CHANGE PROCESS, TENSION, AND STRESS TO EXPAND HER THEORY.
1. Behavior - The output of intraorganismic structures and processes as
they are coordinated and articulated by and responsive to changes in
sensory stimulation.
2. System - A whole that functions as a whole by virtue of the
interdependence of its parts.
3. Behavioral System - Encompasses the patterned, repetitive, and
purposeful ways of behaving.
4. Subsystems - A minisystem with its own particular goal and function
that can be maintained as long as its relationship to other subsystems or
the environment is not disturbed.

MAJOR CONCEPTS & DEFINITIONS

 1. ATTACHMENT
2. DEPENDENCY
SEVEN Affliative subsystem: SUBSYTEM
"Social, Intimacy, and the
SUBSYSTEMS formation and
"Approval, attention or
recognition, and physical
OF attachment of a strong
social bond. Its ultimate
assistance (helping or
nurturing).
BEHAVIOR function is survival.

3. INGESTIVE SUBSYSTEM
4. ELIMINATIVE SUBSYSTEM
The emphasis is on the
Human cultures have defined
meaning and structures of
different socially acceptable
the social events
behaviors for excretion of waste
surrounding the occassion
but the existence of such a
when the food is eaten, its
pattern remains different from
NCM 100 function is appetite
culture to culture.
satisfaction.
 6. AGGRESSIVE-PROTECTIVE
5. SEXUAL SUBSYSTEM
SUBSYTEM
SEVEN "Both biological and social
"Related to the behavior
factor affect the behavior in
SUBSYSTEMS the sexual subsystem." eg.,
concerned with protection and
self-preservation; one that
OF Role identity, courting,
mating. The function is
generates defensive response
from the individual when life or
BEHAVIOR procreation and gratification.
territory is being threatened.

7. ACHIEVEMENT
SUBSYSTEM 8. RESTORATIVE
SUBSYSTEM
"Provokes behavior that
attempts to control the Other scholars added this. It
environment; Intellectual, is concerned with rest, sleep,
physical, creative, comfort/freedom from pain)
NCM 100
mechanical and social skills.
 001 MCN
EACH SUBSYSTEM HAS
THREE FUNCTIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
1. SYSTEM MUST BE PROTECTED FROM
NOXIOUS INFLUENCES WITH WHICH SYSTEM
CANNOT COPE
2. EACH SUBSYSTEM MUST BE NURTURED
THROUGH THE INPUT OF APPROPRIATE
SUPPLIES FROM THE ENVIRONMENT
3. 3. EACH SUBSYSTEM MUST BE STIMULATED
FOR USE TO ENHANCE GROWTH AND
PREVENT STIMULATION
JOHNSON'S MODEL
 FOUR MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS OF THE

BEHAVIORAL SYSTEM MODEL

1. THERE IS "ORGANIZATION, INTERACTION, INTERDEPENDENCY,

AND INTEGRATION OF THE PARTS AND ELEMENTS OF
BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE UP THE SYSTEM
2. A SYSTEM TENDS TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE AMONG THE
VARIOUS FORCES OPERATING WITHIN AND UPON IT, AND THAT
MAN CONTINUALLY STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A BEHAVIORAL
SYSTEM BALANCE AND STEADY STATE BY MORE OR LESS
AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENTS AND ADAPTATIONS TO THE
NATURAL FORCES IMPINGING UPON HIM.
 FOUR MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS OF THE

BEHAVIORAL SYSTEM MODEL

3. A BEHAVIORAL SYSTEM, WHICH BOTH REQUIRES AND RESULTS IS

SOME DEGREE OF REGULARITY AND CONSISTENCY IN BEHAVIOR IS
ESSESNTIAL TO MAN THAT IS TO SAY, IT IS FUNCTIONALLY
SIGNIFICANT IN THAT IT SERVES A USEFUL PURPOSE, BOTH IN
SOCIAL LIFE AND FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
4. THE FINAL ASSUMPTION STATES, "SYSTEM BALANCE3 REFLECTS
ADJUSTMENTS AND ADAPTATIONS THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL IN
SOME WAYS AND TO SOME DEGREE.
 1. The Goal of a subsystem is
defined as "The ultimate
consequence of behavior. FOUR

The basis for the Goal is a STRUCTURAL

Universal Drive, the CHARACTERISTICS

existence of which is OF EACH
supported by existing SUBSYSTEM
theory or research. EACH OF THESE FACTORS
2. The Set is a tendency to act CONTRIBUTE TO THE
in a certain way in a given OBSERVABLE ACTIVITY OF A
PERSON
situation. Set formation is
001 MCN

influenced by culture,
family, values, etc.
 3. The Choice refers to
the alternate behavior FOUR

the person considers in STRUCTURAL

CHARACTERISTICS
any given situation,
OF EACH
influenced by age, sex,
SUBSYSTEM
culture, and
EACH OF THESE FACTORS
socioeconomic status. CONTRIBUTE TO THE
4. The Action is the OBSERVABLE ACTIVITY OF A
PERSON
observable behavior of
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a person.
 Biology 1

NURSING
HAS A PRIMARY GOAL THAT IS TO
FOSTER EQUILIBRIUM WITHIN THE
INDIVIDUAL. ACCORDING TO JOHNSON,
THERE ARE FOUR GOALS OF NURSING.

THEORETICAL FOUNDATION OF NURSING (NCM 100)

To assist the patient; 3. Who is able to benefit
1. Whose behavior is to the fullest extent during
commensurate with illness from the physician's
social demands knowledge and skill
2. Who is able to modify 4. Whose behavior does
his behavior in ways not give evidence of
that supports biological unnecessary trauma as
imperatives consequence of illness
SUMMARY

001 MCN
The Behavioral System Model of
Nursing was developed by Dorothy E.
Johnson. It stresses the importance of
research-knowledge about the effect
of nursing care on patients.
The human being has two systems: the
biological and behavioral systems. The
role of medicine is to focus on the
biological system, while nursing's focus
is on the behavioral system.
 001 MCN
SUMMARY
Society relates to the environment in
which the patient exists; a patient's
behavior is directly influenced by the
environment.
health is a purposeful adaptive respose
to internal and external stimuli in order
to maintain stability and control. The
responses include physical, mental,
emotional and social realms.
 001 MCN
SUMMARY
The primary goal of nursing is to foster
equilibrium in the individual patient.
One focus of nursing concerns the
organized and integrated whole, but
the major focus is on maintaining
balance in the behavioral system
during an illness in the biological
system.
 001 MCN
SUMMARY
the four assumptions about system
are:
1. There is organization, interaction,
interdependency and integration of
the parts and elements of behavior
that go to make up the system.
2. A system tends to achieve a balance
among the vaious forces operating
within and upon it.
 001 MCN
SUMMARY
the four assumptions about system
are:
3. A behavioral system requires some
measure of regularity and constancy in
behavior, which is essential to the patient.
4. System balance reflects adjustments
and adaptations that are successful in
some way and to some degree.
 001 MCN
SUMMARY
Johnson defined nursing as an external
regulatory force which acts to
preserve the organization and
integration of the patient's behaviors
at an optimum level under those
conditions in which the behaviors
constitute a threat to the physical or
social health, or in which illness is
found.
SUMMARY

001 MCN
The Nursing process of the Behavioral
system model begins with an
assessment and diagnosis of the
patient. Once a diagnosis is made, the
nurse and other healthcare
professionals develop a nursing care
plan of intervention and setting them
in motion. The process ends with an
evaluation, which is based on the
balance of the subsystem.
 001 MCN
SUMMARY
The Behavioral system model is best
applied in the evaluation phase, during
which time the nurse can determine
whether or not there is a balance in
the subsystem of the patient. If a nurse
helps maintainan equilibrium of the
behavioral system through an illness in
the biological system, he or she has
been successful in the role.
 All of us, scientists and

practicing professionals, must

turn our attention to practice and

ask questions of the practice. We

must be inquisitive and

inquiring, seeking the fullest and

truest possible understanding of

the theoretical and problems we

encounter."

DOROTHY E. JOHNSON, (1919-1999)

 001 MCN
LINKS/SOURCES

http://nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Dorothy-E-
Johnson.php
http://nursingtheories-mtctfn2011-
2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/dorothy-e-johnson.html
http://www.whyiwanttobeanurse.org/nursing-
theorists/dorothy-johnson.php
https://nurseslabs.com/dorothy-e-johnsons-behavioral-
system-model/
book: Theoretical Foundation of Nursing, pg. 302-333
 )001 MCN( GNISRUN FO NOITADNUOF LACITEROEHT
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY-PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND ALLIED MEDICAL SCIENCES
MABINI EXTENSION, CABANATUAN CITY

Dorothy
Johnson's
Behavioral
System Model

Group Six I Report