Quality

 School

 Concept

Designed by Michael England, Ed.D

www.ez2bsaved.com

englandm@swau.edu

Table of Contents

Choice Theory Diagram

The Ten Axioms of Choice Theory

What Is Choice Theory?

What Is Reality Therapy?

The Practice and Goal of Reality Therapy 

Links

CHOICE THEORY

The Ten Axioms of Choice Theory

The only person whose behavior we can control is our own.

All we can give another person is information. 

All long-lasting psychological problems are relationship problems. 

The problem relationship is always part of our present life. 

All we do is behave. 

What happened in the past has everything to do with what we are today, but we can only satisfy our basic needs right now and plan to continue satisfying them in the future.

We can only satisfy our needs by satisfying the pictures in our Quality World. 

All behavior is Total Behavior and is made up of four components: acting, thinking, feeling and physiology. 

All Total Behavior is designated by verbs and named by the part that is the most recognizable. 

All Total Behavior is chosen, but we only have direct control over the acting and thinking components. We can only control our feeling and physiology indirectly through how we choose to act and think. 

What Is Choice Theory?

In the 1980's Dr. Glasser found in the ideas of Control Theory an excellent explanation of the underlying processes of human behavior and the procedures of therapy and management. Control Theory is a biological theory which explains both the psychological and physiological behavior of all living creatures. Recently Dr Glasser has decided to use the term CHOICE THEORY in preference to CONTROL THEORY since he has adjusted the original theory so much by incorporating the ideas of basic needs, quality world and creativity amongst others. Choice Theory explains in precise detail how we make our choices as we attempt to balance our needs and has a very broad area of possible applications.

Choice Theory contends that all we do is behave, and, in contrast to external control theory which claims that all of our behavior is externally motivated, this theory explains that all behavior is internally motivated. 

Specifically, all of our behavior is our best attempt to satisfy one or more of five basic needs built into our genetic structure. Glasser identifies these basic needs as Love/Belonging, Freedom, Fun, Power and Survival. 

Choice Theory contends that the only person's behavior we can control is our own. By using Choice Theory, we help people learn that what we do is not determined by external causes, but by what goes on inside of us. 

Since all that is taught by the William Glasser Institute (counseling, education and managing) is based upon this theory, teaching Choice Theory in great detail is an integral part of all programs offered or approved by the Institute. 

The best summary of Dr Glasser's ideas on therapy, management and education is to be found in his book "Choice Theory" published in 1998 by Harper-Collins. 

What Is Reality Therapy?

Reality Therapy was developed in the mid-sixties by William Glasser MD, an American Psychiatrist, and its techniques, theory and wider applications continue to evolve at his hands. 

Reality Therapy is a method of counseling which teaches people how to direct their own lives, make more effective choices, and how to develop the strength to handle the stresses and problems of life. 

The core of Reality Therapy is the idea that regardless of what has "happened" in our lives, or what we have done in the past, we can choose behaviors that will help us meet our needs more effectively in the future. 

In 1967 William Glasser founded the Institute for Reality Therapy and in 1996 this has been renamed as The William Glasser Institute. 

The Practice and Goal of Reality Therapy 

The practice of Reality Therapy is an ongoing process made up of two major components: 

1.Creating a trusting environment; and 
2.Using techniques which help a person discover what they really want, reflect on what they are doing now, and create a new plan for fulfilling that 'want' more effectively in the future. 

The goal of Reality Therapy is to help people reconnect. This reconnection almost always starts with the counselor/teacher first connecting with the individual and then using this connection as a model for how the disconnected person can begin to connect with the people he or she needs. To create the relationship vital to Reality Therapy, the counselor will: 

Focus on the present and avoid discussing the past because all human problems are caused by unsatisfying present relationships. 

Avoid discussing symptoms and complaints as much as possible since these are the ways that counselees choose to deal with unsatisfying relationships. 

Understand the concept of total behavior, which means focus on what counselees can do directly-act and think. Spend less time on what they cannot do directly; that is, change their feelings and physiology. Feelings and physiology can be changed, but only if there is a change in the acting and thinking. 

Avoid criticizing, blaming and/or complaining and help counselees to do the same. By doing this, they learn to avoid these extremely harmful external control behaviors that destroy relationships. 

Remain non-judgmental and non-coercive, but encourage people to judge all they are doing by the Choice Theory axiom: Is what I am doing getting me closer to the people I need? If the choice of behaviors is not getting people closer, then the counselor works to help them find new behaviors that lead to a better connection. 

Teach counselees that legitimate or not, excuses stand directly in the way of their making needed connections. 

Focus on specifics. Find out as soon as possible who counselees are disconnected from and work to help them choose reconnecting behaviors. 
If they are completely disconnected, focus on helping them find a new connection. 

Help them make specific, workable plans to reconnect with the people they need, and then follow through on what was planned by helping them evaluate their progress. Based on their experience, counselors may suggest plans, but should not give the message that there is only one plan. A plan is always open to revision or rejection by the counselee. 

Be patient and supportive but keep focusing on the source of the problem, disconnectedness. Counselees who have been disconnected for a long time will find it difficult to reconnect. They are often so involved in the symptom they are choosing that they have lost sight of the fact that they need to reconnect. Help them to understand, through teaching them Choice Theory and encouraging them to read the book, Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom, that whatever their complaint, reconnecting is the best possible solution to their problem. 

Links

http://www.wglasserinst.com/      Glasser Institute

http://www.kathycurtissco.com/A%20Quality%20School/new_page_2.htm     A Quality School Example

http://indigo.ie/~irti/books.htm    Books by William Glasser

http://indigo.ie/~irti/whatis.htm     What is Reality Therapy?

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/brightminds/tReality.html     Reality Therapy Defined Very Well

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/brightminds/tDepress.html      Depression and Choice Theory

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/brightminds/tconflict.html     Conflict and Choice Theory

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/brightminds/alec.html       Depression and Reality Therapy

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/brightminds/tNeeds.html    Needs, Wants, and Behavior

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/brightminds/tControlnew.html      Everybody Needs Control

http://www.ctrtonline.com/      Good Summary of Glasser Concepts