Choice Theory

Choice Theory was developed by American psychiatrist William Glasser (1925-2013), first promulgated in his book of the same name. According to choice theory, all that human beings do is behave, that all behavior is chosen, and that human beings are genetically driven to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love, power, freedom, and fun. Our survival needs can be subdivided into food, clothing, shelter, breathing, safety, and security, with the other needs being psychological.

In Choice Theory, there are ten axioms. The first is that the only person whose behavior that we can control is our own. Second, all that we can give to another person is information. Third, all long-lasting psychological problems are relationship problems. Fourth, the problem relationship is always a part of our present live. Fifth, what has happened in the past is essential to our present state, but human beings can only satisfy our needs at the present and plan to continue doing so in the future.

Sixth, we can only satisfy our needs by satisfying the pictures in our Quality World, which are our role models for a perfect world. Seventh, all we do is behave. Eighth, all behavior is Total Behavior, which is comprised of four parts: acting, thinking, feeling, physiology. Ninth, all Total Behavior is chosen. Tenth, all Total Behavior is designated by verbs. In practice Choice Theory replaces external control psychology, which is destructive to relationships.