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336 UNIT III Nursing Conceptual Models

MAJOR CONCEPTS & DEFINITIONS—cont’d
(Johnson, 1961a, p. 10). Tension can be constructive “Stimuli may be positive in that they are present; or
in adaptive change or destructive in inefficient use of negative in that something desired or required is
energy, hindering adaptation and causing potential absent. [Stimuli]... may be either endogenous or exog-
structural damage (Johnson, 1961a). Tension is the enous in origin [and] may play upon one or more of
cue to disturbance in equilibrium (Johnson, 1961b). our linked open systems” (Johnson, 1961b, p. 13). The
open-linked systems are in constant interchange. The
Stressor open-linked systems include the physiological, per-
Internal or external stimuli that produce tension and sonality, and meaningful small group (the family)
result in a degree of instability are called stressors. systems and the larger social system (Johnson, 1961b).

The author acknowledges the contribution of Brown, V. M. (2006). Behavioral system model. In A. M. Tomey & M.R. Alligood (Eds.), Nursing theorists and
their work (6th ed., pp. 386–404) Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier.

Use of Empirical Evidence incorporated empirical knowledge from other disci-
The empirical origins of this theory begin with plines into the JBSM.
Johnson’s use of systems thinking (synthesis). This Concepts Johnson identified and defined in her
process concentrates on the function and behavior of theory are supported in the literature. She noted that
the whole and is focused on understanding and expla- Leitch and Escolona agree that tension produces be-
nation of the behavioral system. Johnson’s work on havioral changes and that the manifestation of ten-
the Behavioral System Model corresponded with the sion by an individual depends on both internal and
“systems age.” Buckley’s (1968) seminal text was pub- external factors (Johnson, 1980). Johnson (1959b)
lished the same year Johnson formally presented her used the work of Selye, Grinker, Simmons, and Wolff
theory at Vanderbilt University. to support the idea that specific patterns of behavior
System theory, as a basic science, deals on an ab- are reactions to stressors from biological, psychologi-
stract level with the general properties of systems cal, and sociological sources, respectively. Johnson
regardless of physical form or domain of application. (1961a) suggested a difference in her model from
General System Theory was founded on the assump- Selye’s conception of stress. Johnson’s concept of stress
tion that all kinds of systems had characteristics in “follows rather closely Caudill’s conceptualization;
common regardless of their internal nature. Johnson that is, that stress is a process in which there is inter-
used General System Theory and systems thinking to play between various stimuli and the defenses erected
bring together a body of theoretical constructs, as against them. Stimuli may be positive in that they are
well as explaining their interrelationships, to identify present, or negative in that something desired or re-
and describe the mission of nursing. The JBSM pro- quired is absent” (Johnson, 1961a, pp. 7–8). Selye
vided a framework that is based on her synthesis of “conceives stress as ‘a state manifested by the specific
the component parts of this system and a description syndrome which consists of all the nonspecifically
of the context of relationships with each other (sub- induced changes within a biologic system” (Johnson,
systems) and with other systems (environment). 1961a, p. 8).
Standing in contrast to scientific reductionism, Johnson In Conceptual Models for Nursing Practice, Johnson
proposed to view nursing in a holistic manner—a (1980) described seven subsystems that make up
behavioral system. Consistent with system theory, her behavioral system. To support the attachment-
the JBSM provides an understanding of a system by affiliative subsystem, she cited the work of Ainsworth
examining the linkages and interactions between and Robson. Heathers, Gerwitz, and Rosenthal have
the elements that compose the entirety of the system. described and explained dependency behavior, an-
The paragraphs that follow describe how Johnson other subsystem defined by Johnson. The response