Choice Theory by William Glasser: Key Concepts Explained
This paper examines William Glasser's choice theory as presented in The Language of Choice Theory, co-authored with Carleen Glasser. It traces Glasser's background from clinical psychology through the development of reality therapy and control theory, then surveys the theory's core claims about human nature, personality formation, and the role of early life events. The paper explains key concepts including the five basic human needs, Total Behavior, the Seven Caring Habits, and the Ten Axioms of choice theory. It also outlines available training pathways through the William Glasser Institute and concludes with a personal reflection on how the theory might be applied in counseling practice.
- Introduction and Background of William Glasser: Glasser's education, career, and theoretical development
- Core Tenets: Human Nature and Personality: Five basic needs and language of choice
- Early Life Events, Time Orientation, and Change: Past influences, present focus, and personal change
- The Role of Cognition and Total Behavior: Thoughts, actions, feelings, and physiology explained
- Techniques: Seven Caring Habits and Ten Axioms: Core practices guiding choice theory counseling
- Training Resources and Personal Application: Certification pathways and student's personal reflection
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What makes this paper effective
- Follows a clear, structured format that systematically addresses each major dimension of the theory — human nature, personality, time orientation, cognition, and technique — making the coverage comprehensive and easy to navigate.
- Balances theoretical exposition with honest personal reflection, particularly in the final section where the writer identifies both enthusiasm for the theory and a thoughtful reservation about extreme clinical cases.
- Uses direct quotation from primary and secondary sources to anchor abstract concepts (e.g., the five basic needs, Total Behavior components) in the theory's own language.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates structured comparative analysis within a single theoretical framework: it isolates distinct sub-questions (human nature, personality formation, time orientation, cognition, change mechanisms) and addresses each in turn, showing how the parts of the theory interrelate. This technique is especially useful in counseling and psychology courses that require students to evaluate a theory across multiple dimensions before forming a personal position.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with Glasser's biography and the theory's historical development, then moves through the theory's philosophical commitments in a question-and-answer format. A technical section covers the Seven Caring Habits and Ten Axioms, followed by a brief overview of certification training. The paper closes with a two-part personal application section — how the student would use the theory in practice, and a candid reaction to the book itself.
Introduction and Background of William Glasser
This paper reviews The Language of Choice Theory, a book centered on choice theory as developed by William Glasser. Glasser first received his Master's degree in clinical psychology in 1948, then went on to complete medical school and begin work as a psychiatrist with schizophrenic males in 1954 (the William Glasser Institute, 2010). He soon became interested in the question of whether mental illness, as distinct from mental health problems, truly exists; his first book was titled Mental Health or Mental Illness? (the William Glasser Institute, 2010).
In 1962, Glasser coined the term "reality therapy" to describe his techniques and ideas, which were grounded in principles of personal choice and responsibility, and in 1965 he published his book on the subject (Glasser & Glasser, 2010). By 1974, Glasser's books were selling worldwide and he had established the Institute for Reality Therapy; in 1978 he began work on what he initially called "control theory," later renamed choice theory (Glasser & Glasser, 2010). Today his foundation is known as the William Glasser Institute, and he is recognized for his contributions to the fields of marriage, education, and business management. Glasser maintains that traditional psychiatry — with its focus on diagnosing and medicating — is potentially harmful because it does not address the underlying unhappiness (Glasser & Glasser, 2010).
Core Tenets: Human Nature and Personality
Glasser believes that all human behavior is purposefully aimed at fulfilling one or more of five basic human needs: "survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun" (Erwin, 2004). Mental health, according to Glasser, depends on a person's ability to meet these needs successfully by taking personal responsibility for his or her own life (Erwin, 2004). Of all the human needs, Glasser regards love and a sense of belonging as second only to survival; accordingly, he emphasizes strengthening connections to others as a central therapeutic goal.
Regarding how personality is formed, Glasser observes that from infancy onward, children learn from parents and teachers that life is unfair and they must do as they are told. He refers to this as "external control language" — language peppered with phrases such as "you," "should," and "must" (Glasser & Glasser, 2010). As a result, children grow up believing they are not in control, that creativity is unnecessary because they will always be directed by others, and that their personal needs are not particularly important. Glasser argues that this oppressive way of relating only generates mental health issues and further problems (Glasser & Glasser, 2010).
Instead, he advocates fostering a sense of personal control and empowerment by speaking to children, students, and workers in the "language of choice" — an approach that supports openness, fairness, creativity, and personal responsibility (Glasser & Glasser, 2010). Central to the entire theory is Glasser's conviction that the only person we can truly control is ourselves (Glasser & Glasser, 2010).
Early Life Events, Time Orientation, and Change
In choice theory, early life events are taken into consideration; however, the patient must recognize that the past cannot be changed. Instead, Glasser focuses on what a person can do in the present to feel in control of their own happiness. In his words: "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" (the William Glasser Institute, 2010).
Consistent with this view, Glasser's theory is entirely focused on proactive behavior in the present (the William Glasser Institute, 2010). It is highly applicable to everyday practice: therapists are trained to apply choice theory and reality therapy through straightforward methods such as focusing on present problems and behaviors, using creativity to solve problems, identifying practical solutions that can be implemented immediately, offering support while remaining non-judgmental, being specific about which human connections need to be improved, avoiding discussion of "symptoms or complaints," and applying the Seven Caring Habits and Ten Axioms of choice theory (the William Glasser Institute, 2010).
On the question of how change occurs, Glasser maintains that we can only change ourselves. While guidance and counseling are helpful, the patient must ultimately take control of their own behavior. Moreover, since all psychological problems are rooted in dysfunctional relationships, change must occur in the arena of personal connections (the William Glasser Institute, 2010).
References
Erwin, J. (2004). The Classroom of Choice: Giving Students What They Need and Getting What You Want. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Glasser, W., & Glasser, C. (2010). The Language of Choice Theory. HarperCollins ebook.
The William Glasser Institute. (2010). Teaching the World Choice Theory. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from the William Glasser Institute: http://www.wglasser.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=221
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