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Understanding Choice Theory
Dr. William Glasser created the psychological framework known as “choice theory” in the 1990s to comprehend human behavior through internal motivation and personal choice.
Choice Theory suggests that all behavior is inwardly motivated, with people behaving to satisfy their basic wants in ways they believe would provide them with the most satisfaction, in contrast to classic psychology models that frequently emphasize external control and conditioning.
Choice Theory is a powerful paradigm in psychology, education, therapy, and management because of Glasser’s creative concepts that question many preconceived notions about human thought and behavior. Moreover, this concept has also been used in books promoting self-worth because of its reliability and effectiveness for children.
The Core of Choice Theory
Choice theory is based on the idea that individuals are responsible for their actions. Dr. Glasser rejected the notion that the primary forces controlling behavior are rewards, punishments, or primal desires. Rather, he proposed that people make choices based on their natural drive to fulfill five basic needs. According to Glasser, these necessities are essential to human survival and welfare and are universal:
Survival
Survival refers to our essential physical necessities, such as food, water, shelter, and safety. These necessities are vital to sustaining life.
Love and Belonging
Since humans are social beings, emotional well-being depends on feeling connected to, loved by, and a part of others.
Power
Retaining self-worth and self-esteem depends heavily on the need for accomplishment, approval, and authority.
Freedom
This need stands for self-reliance, autonomy, and the capacity to make decisions consistent with our preferences and objectives.
Fun
People must have fun, relax, and be stimulated to have balanced, satisfying lives.
Dr. Glasser states these five fundamental requirements drive all human conduct. The urge to satisfy one or more wants drives every thought, action, and emotion. Individuals try to meet these demands through the decision-making process.
Internal Control and the “Quality World”
The notion of internal control is central to Choice Theory. Glasser stressed that decisions people make based on their internal motivations shape their behavior rather than being dictated by external factors. Humans are not passive creatures that only respond to their surroundings. Instead, motivated by their inner aspirations and objectives, people actively participate in determining their behavior.
Every person has a mental picture of their ideal life, which Glasser calls their “Quality World.” This world consists of the people, things, experiences, and ideals they cherish. Our actions aim to bring us closer to this perfect world. For instance, someone may aspire to professional success because they believe it equates to authority and self-worth.
According to Glasser, people’s choices are influenced by their Quality World. People take these activities because they believe they will help them live the life they have always dreamed of, even though they may not always be conscious or rational. This focus on internal control and the Quality World is a significant change from traditional psychology ideas, which place more emphasis on external influences.
The Four Components of Total Behavior
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Additionally, Glasser presented the idea of Total Behavior, which holds that all human conduct is made up of four interrelated parts:
Doing: This describes our bodily acts, such as talking, moving, or performing tasks.
Thinking: Our decisions and actions are influenced by our thoughts and mental processes.
Feeling: The feelings we get from the things we do and the decisions we make.
Physiology: Our physical condition, including our energy levels, health, and biological functions.
According to the Total Behavior, we can affect our emotions and physiology by changing how we think and behave, even though we cannot directly control them. For instance, someone who alters their thought patterns or adopts more constructive habits will likely have better emotional results and greater physical well-being. This emphasis on personal choice and responsibility underscores the central tenet of Choice Theory: that individuals are responsible for the outcomes of their actions.
External Control vs. Internal Control
Choice theory’s criticism of external control is among its most essential features. Behaviorism and other traditional psychological models frequently emphasize the use of rewards and punishments to modify behavior. These external control strategies are predicated on the idea that external consequences can influence people into acting in particular ways.
Dr. Glasser disagreed, claiming that outside authority breeds resentment, conflict, and resistance. The Choice Theory, on the other hand, encourages internal control, where individuals recognize that their actions may be determined by their preferences and needs. People can take control of their health and accept accountability for their actions by focusing on internal control.
Glasser’s model provides an alternative to external control methods, which contends that people are more likely to achieve favorable results when they accept responsibility for their actions. This viewpoint is invaluable in contexts where the goal is to assist people in understanding and managing their choices, such as therapy, education, and conflict resolution.
Choice Theory in Books
Books like Sarah’s Choice also mirror this concept of choice theory more simply and logically. Aside from teaching children moral lessons, Sarah’s Touch focuses on building relationships, competence, and trust, especially for neglected and unstable children. This subject fits quite nicely with William Glasser’s Choice Theory, which strongly emphasizes relationships, personal accountability, and the innate drive to satisfy fundamental psychological needs.
According to Glasser’s Choice Theory, love and belonging are fundamental needs. Sarah works with children in Sarah’s Touch who have been moved around often and don’t usually trust people or their social networks. Sarah gradually establishes relationships with the children based on trust, which gives them a sense of acceptance. Glasser’s idea that wholesome connections are critical to wellbeing and personal development is directly applied in this situation.
One of the central tenets of choice theory is that people are accountable for their decisions. Sarah demonstrates to the kids that they can choose how they live, behave, and think. The kids in the story also accept accountability for their deeds and trust others and themselves. They acquire the ability to make better decisions regarding their interactions with others, which reflects Glasser’s theory that our psychological needs constantly influence our choices.
According to Glasser’s Choice Theory, Sarah’s approach empowers children by assisting them in meeting their needs in a self-directed, healthy manner. Do you want to grab a copy of this book? Purchase Sarah’s Touch by Carla Atkinson now!
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