Nursing Theorist Dorothy Johnson

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Theorist finalist Dorothy Johnson created the Behavioral Systems Model. The purpose of this conceptual model is “to maintain or restore behavioral system balance”. (Butts & Rich, 2010). The model was partly influenced by Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing. (Fitne, 1988). Johnson agreed with Nightingale’s belief that the goal of nursing is to focus on the patient rather than the specific disease they are fighting. (Butts & Rich, 2010). In Johnson’s model for nursing, man is seen as a behavioral system, unlike medicine where man is seen as a biological system; however, the two views complement each other. (Fitne, 1988). The behavioral systems model is comprised of seven subsystems: the achievement, affiliative, aggressive, dependence, sexual, eliminative, and ingestive systems. (Butts & Rich, 2010). These subsystems are open yet interrelated; therefore, a disturbance in one subsystem can have effects on other subsystems. (Butts & Rich, 2010). It is the role of the nurse to assist the patient in returning to equilibrium if one subsystem upsets the balance. (Butts & Rich, 2010). Johnson defined the four major concepts in nursing using the behavioral systems model. First, the person is viewed as a behavioral system comprised of seven subsystems, whereas medicine deals with the person as a biological system. (Butts & Rich, 2010). Second, an internal environment is part of a person’s behavioral system; moreover, even though external environment is not part of a person’s behavioral system, it can still influence the subsystems. (Butts & Rich, 2010). Any environmental force can disturb the behavioral system and cause disequilibrium. (Butts & Rich, 2010). Third, Johnson believes health is determined by interactions of psychological, physiological, biological, and social factors. (Butts & Rich, 2010). The behavioral system will be balanced and stable if these

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