Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Von Bertalanffy’s
General System
Theory
 Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Background of Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy

• He was born on September 19, 1901 in Atzgersdorf near Vienna, Austria-Hungary.
• He studied Biology at the University of Vienna.
• In 1926, he finished his PhD thesis (translated title: “Fechner and the problem of
integration of the higher order”) on the psychologist and philosopher Gustave Theodor
Fechner.
• He was known for his General Systems Theory.
 Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

General systems theory

Is a general science of “wholeness”.

Is the concept that systems cannot be

Views any section of universe around us that reduced to a series of parts functioning in
we can perceive can be described as a isolation, but that, in order to understand
system. the whole, one must understand the
interrelations between these parts
Major Concepts of
the Systems Theory

• Any section of the universe can be

called as a system

• System is being represented by its

subsystems

• Subsystems make up for a

structure of a system

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

 SYSTEMS ACCORDING
TO BERTALANFFY

System
(Blue circle)

Subsystem
(small circles)

Interaction between
subsystems
(Black arrow)

Figure 1.
Interaction going to
systems of higher level SYSTEMS ACCORDING
TO BERTALANFFY

System
(Blue circle)

Subsystem
(small circles)

Interaction between
subsystems
(Black arrow)

Figure 1.
To systems of higher level
(see Figure 1)

Figure 2.
Basic Attributes of a
System

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Basic Attributes of a System
- are the part that separates the system from its environment.

- ability to make the internal changes to protect itself and keep fulfilling its goals.

- systems should be viewed as whole, not a collection of separate pieces.

- organizations are in a dynamic, interconnected relationship with their

environment.

- goals in a system are contingent and negotiated.

- systems tend to run down, deteriorate, and move to disorganization.

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Important view points on organization

Open Systems - organizations that are open to their environment.

Close Systems - does not interact with the outside world.

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

What are 4 components of
systems theory?




Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

General systems model

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Advantages of the Systems
Theory
• It focuses on the environment and how
changes can impact the organization

• Broadens the theoretical aspects for viewing

the behavior of organizations

• It is designed to deal with complex

tasks
• It aims in meaningful analysis of organization
and their management.

• Facilitates interaction between organization

and environment

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Disadvantages of the Systems
Theory

• The systems theory doesn’t focus on specific task

functions

• Over conceptual – impractical i.e it can’t be easily &

directly affect the structure and function of the
organization

• Doesn’t directly explore the impact of interpersonal

relationships, type of interaction, interdependencies
and loyalty on productivity.

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

The systems theory is a non-nursing

theory that can be applied to any
situation a nurse is faced with. The
system theory is a group of items
forming a unified whole and the
environment plays an important part on
how each system responds to different
things (Cordon, 2013).
Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

How does systems theory

apply to nursing care?
In nursing, systems theory means that the safety
and health of patients is the result of how a
healthcare system is structured. The entire system
needs to be dedicated to improving the lives of patients.
Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

How does systems theory apply

to public health?

A systems-approach to population health

operates under the notion that community health
improvement involves more than just stand-alone
disease prevention and treatment programs. There
are also other factors involved, such as resources to
improve health behaviors, quality of life, and safety.
Who used general system theory in nursing?
Many nursing theorist have drawn from the works of Von Bertalanffy on system’s theory.

Neuman’s Systems Model Roger’s Theory of Unitary

Roy’s Adaptation Model
Human Being

Imogene King’s Theory of Orem Self-care Deficit Johnson’s Behavioral

Goal Attainment Theory Model

Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

 Von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory

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You!