Dorothy E. Johnson was a pioneering nursing theorist who developed the Behavioral Systems Model. She believed that nursing aims to preserve a patient's behavioral equilibrium. Her theory defines seven behavioral subsystems and explains nursing's role in helping patients maintain balance. Johnson had a distinguished career in nursing education, helping develop one of the first four-year nursing programs in the US at UCLA. She authored numerous works and received several honors before her death in 1999.

1. S
Dorothy E. Johnson
Pioneer of Behavioral
System Model
Nursing Theorist Group 10 Presentation
Florida International University

2. Dorothy E. Johnson
Biography/Early
Life/Education/Career/Works
Dorothy E. Johnson (August 21,1919-February
1999) was an outstanding nurse theorist and
educator who developed the Behavioral System
Model theory.
Her theory of nursing defines nursing as “ An
external regulatory force which acts to preserve the
organization and integration of the patients
behaviors at an optimum level under those
conditions in which the behavior constitutes a
threat to the physical or social health, or in which
illness is found.”
Early Life
• Born on August 21,1919 in Savannah, Georgia
• Youngest in the family of seven children
• Her father was a shrimp and oyster factory
superintendent and her mother was very
involved and enjoyed reading
• 1938 graduated with an associates degree from
Armstrong Junior College, Savannah, Georgia.
• Due to the Great Depression at this time, she
took a year off from school to be a governess or
teacher, for two children in Miami, Florida. It was
during this time when she decided on a career
that would encompass nursing, children and
education.

3. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Class 1942 with
Dorothy Johnson on the back raw second from the left
S Dorothy E. Johnson
Education/ Career
S Post graduation, Johnson’s career involved
mostly teaching, although she was a staff
nurse for a year at Chatham-Savannah Health
Council from 1943-1944.
S In 1949 Dorothy joined the faculty of
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
where she and Lulu K. Wolf Hassenplug
developed the “first four year generic basis
nursing program in the United States.” She
was an assistant professor of pediatric
nursing, an associate professor of nursing,
and a professor of nursing at the UCLA.
S In 1955-1956, Johnson was a pediatric
nursing advisor assigned to the Christian
Medical College School of Nursing in Vellore,
South India
S From 1965-1967, she served as chairperson
on the committee of the California Nurses
Association that developed a position
statement on the specifications for the clinical
specialist.
S She remained at UCLA until her retirement in
1978
• Obtained her Bachelor of Science in
Nursing degree from Vanderbilt University,
in Nashville, Tennessee. 1942
• She was the top student in her class and
received the prestigious Vanderbilt medal.
• She worked briefly as a public health nurse
and in 1944 returned to Vanderbilt as an
instructor in Pediatric Nursing
• Masters in Public Health from Harvard
University in Boston, Massachusetts. 1948

4. Behavioral System Model
S Johnson’s greatest “Behavior System Model” nursing theory began to form in the 1940’s, during her early teaching
years
S In 1968 her theory was first proposed and presented in written form in 1980.
S Her model states that “each individual has patterned, purposeful, repetitive ways of acting that comprises a
behavioral system specific to that individual.”
S The model is a fostering of the “efficient way and effective behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent illness.”
S The patient is defined as a behavioral system composed of seven behavioral subsystems: affiliative, dependency,
ingestive, eliminative, sexual, aggressive, achievement.
S An imbalance in each system results in disequilibrium. The nurse’s role is to help the patient maintain his or her
equilibrium.
S As noted in her article: The significance of Nursing Care, “ Equilibrium is the key word in this definition of nursing’s
specific responsibility in patient care.”

5. Dorothy Johnson Works/ Awards/
Honors
S Works
Johnson was a prolific writer on the subject of nursing
theory.
Her publications include four books, over 30 articles in
periodicals, many reports, proceedings, and
monographs.
Most known works:
S Her 1968 paper, entitled, One Conceptual Model
of Nursing.
S Theory Development: What, Why, How?
S Barriers and Hazards in Counseling.
S Awards and Honors
In later years, Johnson was given many honors
including
S 1975 UCLA Faculty Award from graduate
students
S 1977 Lulu Hassenplug Distinguished
Achievement Award from California Nurses’
Association
S 1981 Vanderbilt School Nursing Award for
Excellence in Nursing.

6. Dorothy Johnson
Last years
Dorothy Johnson retired from UCLA in 1978
as Professor Emeritus. She spent her last
years in Key Largo, Florida, where she
helped others with research and the
development of her theory.
She remained active in retirement as a
speaker and advocate for nursing
education.
Johnson died in February 1999 at the age
80.
Before she died, she was pleased that her
theory had been found useful in practice as
the criteria for excellence in nursing.

7. References
Alligood, M., & Tomey, A. (2010) Nursing Theorists and their work, seventh edition. Maryland Heights, Mo.:
Mosby-Elsevier.
Dorothy E. Johnson Biographical File. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/diglib/sc_diglib/archColl/1014.html
Wayne, Gil (2014) Dorothy E. Johnson- Pioneer of Behavioral System Model. Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://www.nurseslabs.com/dorothy-e-johnsons-behavioral-system-model/
Johnson, E. D. (1961). The Significance of Nursing Care. American Journal of Nursing, 61(11), 63-66.