Dorothy E. Johnson

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Dorothy E. Johnson, who was a professor of pediatrics and nursing at the University of California in Los Angeles and a leading nursing theorist. In particular, the paper examines the seven subsystems of Johnson's behavioral systems approach. It also discusses how the theory demonstrates a holistic approach while still allowing individuality to determine behavior.

Outline:
Achievement
Aggressive
Dependency
Ingestive
Elimination
Sexual

From the Paper:

"The foundations of Johnson's theories are then clearly demonstrated in contemporary ideas about medical care and sociological science, and Johnson, then details those theories. According to Johnson the subsystems of behavior, which will be defined shortly are all interrelated and interdependent and therefore a break down in any one subsystem can and likely will affect another and can potentially seriously endanger the individual. With regard to the subsystems in general Johnson postulates that "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" (Johnson, 1980, p.218) Additionally the individual has a, "predisposition to act, with reference to the gal, in certain ways rather than in other ways" Johnson calls this predisposition of action a "set." (p.219) "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chin, R. "The Unity of System Models and Developmental Models for Practitioners" in The Planning of Change. (1961) Eds. Bennis, W. Benne, K. and Chin, R. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York.
• Conner, S. S., Harbour, L. S., Magers, J. A., and Watt, J. K. (1994). Dorothy E. Johnson: Behavioral System Model. In Ann Marriner-Tomey (3rd ed.), Nursing Theorists and Their Work (pp. 231-240). St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, Inc.
• Johnson, D.E. (1968) "One Conceptual Model of Nursing" Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN. Conference Presentation Paper available at: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/biolib/hc/documents/conceptualmodel.pdf
• Johnson, D.E. (1980). The behavioral system model for nursing. In J.P. Riehl & C. Roy (Eds.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (2nd ed.). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
• Johnson D. E.. In J. B. George (Ed.), Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional Nursing Practice (4th ed.). New York: Macmillian Co. Random House College Dictionary, 1988.

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