n is an individual behavioral system (Kaplan & Sadock, 1985). For individuals, the external environment includes all forces (object, events, and situations) which are capable of impinging on the individual. The internal environment involves the psychological and physical characteristics of the individual which permit and facilitate reaction and adjustment to external forces.
Behavioral system balance is a manifestation of successful adjustments and adaptations, even though observed behavior may not appear to be consistent with accepted cultural or biologic norms for healthy behavior (Kaplan & Sadock, 1985). Living systems can and do operate at varying levels of effectiveness and efficiency, but, to be able to operate at all, some minimum level of balance, both internally and externally, must be maintained. A behavioral system possess sufficient flexibility to react effectively to usual variations in the forces acting upon it, and it possess sufficient stress tolerance to permit effective adjustment to many extre
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