"Johnson states that a nurses should use the behavioral system as their knowledge base; comparable to the biological system that physicians use as their base of knowledge (Lobo, 1995). The reason Johnson chose the behavioral system model is the idea that "all the patterned, repetitive, purposeful ways of behaving that characterize each person's life make up an organized and integrated whole, or a system" (other). Johnson states that by categorizing behaviors, they can be predicted and ordered. Johnson categorized all human behavior into seven subsystems (SSs): Attachment, Achievement, Aggressive, Dependence, Sexual, Ingestive, and Eliminative. Each subsystem is composed of a set of behavioral responses or tendencies that share a common goal. These responses are developed through experience and learning and are determined by numerous physical, biological, psychological, and social factors. Four assumptions are made about the structure and function of each SS. These four assumptions are the "structural elements" common to each of the seven SSs."

 (Extract from: Author Unknown retrieved from the internet September 1, 2002 http://www.myfreeessays.com/science_and_technology/041.shtml Also located at Clayton College. See below)
 

• Dorothy E. Johnson, BSN, MPH (1919-1999) - A Biosketch. Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• Johnson Behavioral System (JBS) Model - Dorothy E. Johnson.  Essay by unknown author. Now located at Clayton College.
• Dorothy E. Johnson Behavioral System Model Background Of Theorist - Presentation By:Katrina L. O'bryant & Suzanne Van Orden [PDF File]
• Johnson Behavioral System (JBS) Model (German Text)
• Análisis de la Teoría del Sistema Conductual de Dorothy Johnson (Spanish Text)
   

• Dorothy E. Johnson

• “Johnson’s model focuses on a behavioral system (the patient), its subsystems, and its environment.” Polit & Herderson p. 102

• Holaday, B. (1980). Implementing the Johnson model for nursing practice. In J. P. Riehl & C. Roy (Eds.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (2nd ed., pp. 197-206). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

• Johnson, D. E. (1980). The behavioral system model for nursing. In J. P. Riehl & C. Roy (Eds.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (2nd ed., pp. 207-216). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

• Johnson, D. E. (1990). The behavioral system model for nursing. In M. E. Parker (Ed.), Nursing theories in practice (pp. 23-32). New York: National League for Nursing.

• Small, B. (1980). Nursing visually impaired children with Johnson’ model as a conceptual framework. In J. P. Riehl & C. Roy (Eds.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (2nd ed., pp. 264-273). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

• Holaday, B., Turner-Henson, A., & Swan, J. (1996). The Johnson behavioral system model: Explaining activities of chronically ill children. In P. H. Walker & B. M. Neuman (Eds.), Blueprint for use of nursing models: Education, research, practice and administration (pp.33-63). New York: National League for Nursing.

• Wilkerson, S. A., & Loveland-Cherry, C. J. (1996). Johnson’s behavioral system model. In J. J. Fitzpatrick & A.L. Whall (Eds.), Conceptual models of nursing: Analysis and application (3rd ed., pp. 89-109). Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange.