1. Chapter Nine: Choice Theory and the new Reality Therapy

2. Biographical Information—William Glasser
Born 1925
Writes of his mother being very “controlling”, parents “incompatible”
Studied engineering, clinical psychology, and medicine

3. Historical Context
Behavioral?
Existential?

4. Theoretical Principles of Control Theory
Five Basic Human Needs
Survival
Love and Belonging
Power
Freedom
Fun

5. Theoretical Principles of Control Theory (continued)
Quality World
Total Behavior
Acting
Thinking
Feeling
Physiology

6. Theory of Psychopathology
We choose our behaviors
Restraining anger
Getting Help
Avoiding Things

7. The Practice of Reality Therapy
Preparing yourself
Preparing your client
Assessment Issues and Procedures

8. Specific Therapy Techniques
What do you want?
What are you doing?
Is it working?
Should you make a new plan?

9. Specific Therapy Techniques (continued)
Building the Relationship
Seven Deadly Habits
Effective Plan Construction
Client Self-evaluation

10. Extended Case Examples
Glasser works with Teresa

11. Therapy Outcomes Research
The few published studies that exist indicate positive results

12. Multicultural Perspectives
Glasser believes our needs are genetic—and therefore cross cultures. They are merely expressed differently.
Little actual research conducted with minority cultures, though writers stress need for sensitivity

13. Concluding Comments Glasser embodies his theory
Choice theory has much to offer the world

14. Student Review Assignments
Critical corner
Reviewing key terms
Review questions

15. Critical Corner
Choice theory and reality therapy refuse to acknowledge the power and relevance of unconscious processes in human functioning and in the therapeutic process. For example, Glasser considers transference and dreams to be irrelevant to counseling. Given the rich and unique human interactions associated with dreams and transference, do you think reality therapists are missing an opportunity by considering them irrelevant to counseling? On the other hand, do you think excluding dreams and transference might make therapy more efficient?

16. Critical Corner (continued)
If reality therapists reject transference, they probably also reject the concept of countertransference. Do you think that ignoring these basic relationship dynamics might blind therapists from their own issues, impulses, and other countertranference reactions? How would ignorance of your countertransference reactions have a detrimental affect on therapy process and outcome?

17. Critical Corner (continued)
Choice theory espouses the radical view that mental illness does not exist. This position might cause clients to feel blamed for their symptoms and might even cause them to think the reality therapist considers their distress is imaginary or “in their heads.” What do you think of a contemporary theory of therapy that doesn’t believe in the existence of mental illness?

18. Critical Corner (continued)
There is no substantial empirical evidence that reality therapy is more effective than no therapy at all. Without empirical evidence, how can a professional therapist place faith in reality therapy procedures?

19. Critical Corner (continued)
Choice theory includes several intangible and immeasurable concepts like “the five basic human needs,” the “quality world,” and “total behavior.” These constructs, like the id, ego, and superego, are imaginary or conceptual and lack empirical support to validate their existence. Do you think that reality therapy is based on a theoretical fiction or do you think we will eventually accumulate evidence to support Glasser’s theoretical claims?

20. Critical Corner (continued)
Glasser ignores or rejects ethical boundaries typical of most usual and customary therapeutic procedures. For example, he tells clients “We can talk as long as you want” and sometimes meets with clients who are old friends of the family (Glasser, 2000). What do you think of his unconventionally friendly approach to therapy? What might be the ethical dangers linked to his approach?

21. Review Key Terms External Control Psychology
List and Define Choice Theory’s Five Basic Human Needs
List and Define the Three Types of Information in Your Quality World
List and Define the Four Components of Total Behavior

22. Key Terms (continued) WDEP System and Four Questions of Choice Theory
The 10 Axioms of Choice Theory
The Seven Deadly Habits
SAMIC3

23. Review Questions How do reality therapists define mental illness?
Why do reality therapists use the terms “depressing” and “headaching?”
Would a reality therapist work with a psychotic patient? If so, how?
What are the two foundational components of reality therapy?
What are the three logical explanations of pathological behavior?
What are the four main goals of therapy, from the reality therapist’s perspective?

24. Review Questions (continued)
Why do reality therapists mostly ignore client’s complaints and the client’s past?
How do reality therapists use rational argument in counseling?
How do they use in-session demonstrations?
For reality therapists, what constitutes a good homework assignment and a good plan?
Come up with a client homework assignment that emphasizes front wheel behaviors and thoughts.