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small and large groups. and social systems, which include family, social organizations
and health care delivery. These three dynamic interacting systems form the basis of
King's theory ofGoal Attainment (George, 1995:212).
3.3.1 PERSONAL SYSTEMS
A personal system refers to an individual. The concepts used in this system are
perception, self-growth and development, body image, .space, learning and time. The
major concept in personal systems is perception as it influences all behaviours though it
is subjective. Perception is experienced by every person though it differs from person to
person. Perception is described as a process ofhuman interaction with their environment,
which then influences the behaviour, provides meaning to the experience and represents
the individual's image ofreality.
The selfas defmed by King (1995) in George (1995:212) is a composite ofthoughts and
feelings, which constitutes a person's awareness of his individual existence, who and
what he is. The selfincludes, among other things, a system ofideas, attitudes, values and
commitments. It consists ofthe individual's inner world as distinguished from the outer
world that consist ofall people and things. A person's selfis the same total ofall a person
can calI his own.
One of the concepts is growth and development, which includes all the stages of
development from the period ofconception till adulthood. There are changes, which are
physical, and behaviour assisted by the. environment till maturity. Growth and
development is therefore defined as the process in people's lives through which they
move from a potential for achievement to actuaIization ofself
Body image is part ofeach stage ofgrowth and development It is subjective, acquired or
learned, dynamic and changing as a person redefines the self. It is defined as the way one
perceives both one's body and reaction ofothers to one's appearance.
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