Dorothy Johnson

The Behavioral System Model

Johnsons Model (Torres, 1986)
Johnsons Behavioral System Model is a model of nursing care that advocates the fostering of efficient and effective
behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent illness. The patient is identified as a behavioral system composed of seven
behavioral subsystems: affiliative, dependency, ingestive, eliminative, sexual, aggressive, and achievement. The three
functional requirements for each subsystem include protection from noxious influences, provision for a nurturing
environment, and stimulation for growth. An imbalance in any of the behavioral subsystems results in disequilibrium. It is
nursings role to assist the client to return to a state of equilibrium.
Major Concepts
Johnson (1980) views human beings as having two
major systems: the biological system and the behavioral
system. It is the role of medicine to focus on the
biological system, whereas nursings focus is the
behavioral system.

The concept of human being was defined as a
behavioral system that strives to make continual
adjustments to achieve, maintain, or regain balance to
the steady-state that is adaptation.

Environment is not directly defined, but it is implied to
include all elements of the surroundings of the human
system and includes interior stressors.

Health is seen as the opposite of illness, and Johnson
defines it as some degree of regularity and constancy
in behavior, the behavioral system reflects adjustments
and adaptations that are successful in some way and to
some degree adaptation is functionally efficient and
effective.

Nursing is seen as an external regulatory force which
acts to preserve the organization and integration of the
patients behavior at an optimal level under those
conditions in which the behavior constitutes a threat to
physical or social health, or in which illness is found.

Behavioral system

Man is a system that indicates the state of the system
through behaviors.

System
Subconcepts
Structure

The parts of the system that make up the whole.

Variables

Factors outside the system that influence the systems
behavior, but which the system lacks power to change.

Boundaries

The point that differentiates the interior of the system
from the exterior.

Homeostasis

Process of maintaining stability.

Stability

Balance or steady-state in maintaining balance of
behavior within an acceptable range.

Stressor

A stimulus from the internal or external world that
results in stress or instability.

Tension

The systems adjustment to demands, change or growth,
or to actual disruptions.

Instability

That which functions as a whole by virtue of organized
independent interaction of its parts.

Subsystem

A minisystem maintained in relationship to the entire
system when it or the environment is not disturbed.

State in which the system output of energy depletes the
energy needed to maintain stability.

Seven Subsystems (Johnson, 1980)

1. Attachment or affiliative subsystem serves the
need for security through social inclusion or intimacy

2. Dependency subsystem behaviors designed to get
attention, recognition, and physical assistance

3. Ingestive subsystem fulfills the need to supply the
biologic requirements for food and fluids

4. Eliminative subsystem functions to excrete wastes

5. Sexual subsystem serves the biologic requirements
of procreation and reproduction

6. Aggressive subsystem functions in self and social
protection and preservation

7. Achievement subsystem functions to master and
control the self or the environment

Set

The predisposition to act. It implies that despite having
only a few alternatives from which to select a
behavioral response, the individual will rank those
options and choose the option considered most
desirable.
Function

Consequences or purposes of action.
Functional requirements

Input that the system must receive to survive and
develop
Three functional requirements of humans(Johnson,
1980)

1. To be protected from noxious influences with which
the person cannot cope

2. To be nurtured through the input of supplies from the
environment

3. To be stimulated to enhance growth and prevent
stagnation
Assumptions
Assumptions on Behavioral Systems

Johnson cites Chin (1961) as the source for her first assumption. There is organization, interaction, interdependency, and
integration of the parts and elements of behavior that go to make up the system.

A system tends to achieve a balance among the various forces operating within and upon it (Chin, 1961), and that man
strives continually to maintain a behavioral system balance and steady states by more or less automatic adjustments and
adaptations to the natural forces impinging upon him.

The individual is continually presented with situations in everyday life that require adaptation and adjustment. These
adjustments are so natural that they occur without conscious effort by the individual.

The third assumption about a behavioral system is that a behavioral system, which both requires and results in some degree
of regularity and constancy in behavior, is essential 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. (Johnson, 1980)

The system balance reflects adjustments and adaptations that are successful in some way and to some degree. (Johnson,
1980)

Johnson acknowledges that the achievement of this balance may and will vary from individual to individual. At times this
balance may not be exhibited as behaviors that are acceptable or meet societys norms. What may be adaptive for the
individual in coping with impinging forces may be disruptive as a whole.

Assumptions on the Structure and Function of Subsystems (Johnson, 1980)

From the form the behavior takes and the consequences it achieves can be inferred what drive has been stimulated or
what goal is being sought.

The ultimate goal for each subsystem is expected to be the same for all individuals. However, the methods of achieving the
goal may vary depending on the culture or other individual variations.

Each individual has a predisposition to act, with reference to the goal, in certain ways rather than in any other ways.

Each subsystem has available repertoire of choices or scope of action alternatives from which choices can be made.

Larger behavioral repertoires are available to more adaptable individuals. As life experiences occur, individuals add to the
number of alternative action available to them. At some point, however, the acquisition of new alternatives of behavior
decreases as the individual becomes comfortable with the available repertoire.

Behavioral subsystems produce observable outcomes that is, the individuals behavior.

The observable behaviors allow an outsider in this case the nurse to note the actions the individual is taking to reach a
goal related to a specified subsystem. The nurse can then evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of these behaviors in
assisting the individual in reaching one of these goals.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Strengths:

She provided a frame of reference for nurses concerned with specific client behaviors.

Johnsons behavioral model can be generalized across the lifespan and across cultures.

Weaknesses:

Johnsons does not clearly interrelate her concepts of subsystems.

Lack of clear definitions for the interrelationships among and between the subsystems makes it difficult to view the entire
behavioral system as an entity.

The lack of clear interrelationships among the concepts creates difficulty in following the logic of Johnsons work.
Analysis
Johnsons behavioral model is clearly an Individual-oriented framework. Its extent to consider families, groups and
communities was not considered.

In her model, the focus is with what the behavior the person is presenting making the concept more attuned with the
psychological aspect of care in.

Categorizing different behaviors in seven subsystems divided the focus of nursing interventions. In turn quality of care given
by the nurse may be lessened because of fractionalized care which does not support seeing the individual as a whole
adaptive system.

A lack of an authenticated schematic diagram by Johnson which is seen necessary was not presented. Johnson has
developed multiple concepts thus a diagram showing each and every concepts relationship might be helpful.