REALITY / CHOICE THERAPY

INDUMATHI K
 About the Author

Key Concepts
View of Human Nature
▪ Choice Therapy
▪ Five Basic Needs
▪ Therapist’s Questions

Agenda Perceived World

▪ Glasser’s View
▪ Total Knowledge Filter
▪ Valuing Filter
▪ Characteristics of Perceived Worlds

Our Quality World

The Comparing Place

William Early Life and Education
Glasser ❑ Graduated from Cleveland
May 11, 1925 – Aug 23, 2013 Heights High School.
Cleveland, Ohio ❑ 1945: Earned BS in Disenchantment with
Psychiatrist, Author Chemical Engineering Psychoanalysis
Known for developing for from Case Western
❑ During his psychiatric
“Choice Theory & Reality Reserve University.
❑ 1948: Earned an MA in residency, Glasser became
Theory”
Clinical Psychology. disenchanted with Freudian The Development of Reality
Focused on personal
❑ Started a PhD in clinical psychoanalysis and its lack Therapy
responsibility, mental health,
psychology but had his of effectiveness with clients.
behaviour modification. ❑ Began experimenting with
dissertation rejected. ❑ His dissatisfaction led him to
explore alternative Reality Therapy while
❑ Went on to study medicine working with adolescent girls
and earned an M.D. in therapeutic techniques.
❑ Wrote Mental Health or suffering from drug addiction
1953 from Western
Mental Illness? (1961), at the Ventura School for Girls.
Reserve University. ❑ His success led to work with
where he argued against
traditional psychiatric the California school system
approaches focusing on as a consultant, where he
diagnosis and medication. advocated for Reality Therapy
as a tool for addressing
school discipline problems
Glasser’s Educational The William Glasser
Reforms Institute
❑ 1969: Published Schools ❑ In 1967, Glasser founded
Without Failure, which The Institute for Reality
critiqued traditional Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, which evolved Awards and Lifetime
education and emphasized Therapy into The William Glasser Accomplishments
the need for students to Institute in 1996.
❑ Choice Theory: Focuses ❑ 1990: Awarded an
develop a success ❑ The institute, located in
on personal choice, honorary degree by the
identity Chatsworth, California,
responsibility, and behavior University of San
❑ 1986: Wrote Control has branches worldwide.
transformation. Francisco.
Theory in the Classroom, ❑ Glasser published over 20
❑ Published books such as ❑ 2003: Received the
introducing Choice Theory books on Reality Therapy,
The Quality School Professional
principles in education. Control Theory, and Choice
(1998b) and Every Development Award from
❑ His work impacted school Theory.
Student Can Succeed the American Counseling
systems both in the U.S.
(2000b), applying Choice Association (ACA).
and worldwide.
Theory to education and ❑ 2005: Honored with the
disciplinary issues. Life Achievement Award
by the International Center
for the Study of Psychiatry
and Psychology.
❑ Glasser’s work continues
to influence fields of
psychotherapy,
education, and
counseling globally.
 Key Concepts
View of Human Nature

Choice Therapy: Explains that all human behavior is purposeful and aimed
at fulfilling five basic needs
Key Idea: We can only control our own behavior, not others

Five Basic Needs:

Survival: Physical health, safety, and security
Love and Belonging: Relationships and connections
Power: Achievement and self-worth
Freedom: Independence and autonomy
Fun: Enjoyment and pleasure

Therapist’s Questions: Therapists ask three key questions to see if needs

are being met:
1. What do you want?
2. What are you doing to get it?
3. Is it working?
 Perceived World
Glasser’s View: According to Glasser (1998a), we experience the real world through our sensory system (eyes,
ears, nose, mouth, and skin). Our perceptions shape our reality.

Total Knowledge Filter: Our sensory sensations are processed through the total knowledge filter, which includes
everything we know or have experienced. When information passes through this filter:

01 02 03
Not Meaningful Potentially Meaningful Meaningful
We decide the information We do not immediately The information is
is not meaningful, and the recognize the information meaningful and proceeds to
perception ends. but think it might be useful, the valuing filter
so we seek more
information.
 Perceived World - Continued

Valuing Filter: As information passes through Characteristics of Perceived Worlds:

the valuing filter, we assign one of three values ❑ Subjective: Influenced by our culture,
❑ Positive Value: If the information helps us education, experience, gender, age, etc.
meet our needs. ❑ Unique: Each person’s perceived world is
❑ Negative Value: If the information limits our different.
ability to meet our needs. ❑ Continually Revised: New information and
❑ Neutral Value: If the information neither experiences create new perceptions
helps nor hinders us, we perceive it as ❑ Often Inaccurate: Our perceptions may not
neutral. always accurately reflect reality
 Our Quality World
Definition People Things Experiences
The Quality World contains
We care about We value That bring satisfaction
mental images of what is most
important to us:

Function
Acts as a mental picture album reflecting our desires and needs

Motivation Participation Acquiring Goods

Drives us to achieve and Influences our engagement in Guides our choices in
participate in activities various activities obtaining possessions and
lifestyle

Dynamic Nature: The Quality World is continually updated with new experiences and perceptions.
Individual Variability: Each person’s Quality World is unique and constantly evolving.
Application in Therapy:
Identifying Needs: Therapists explore clients’ Quality Worlds to understand their motivations and areas of frustration.
Guiding Behavior: Helps in addressing needs and improving overall life satisfaction by focusing on what is valued most.
 The Comparing Place
We compare our desired quality world pictures with our current perceived world

Balanced When our quality world (what we want) and perceived world (what we have) match, we feel satisfied
Scales and mentally healthy

Life Balance leads to contentment; we continue our current behaviors.

Satisfaction

Frustration and Imbalance

When our quality world and perceived world don't match, it creates frustration
Imbalance

Brain’s When our quality world and perceived world don't match, it creates frustration
Signal

When our quality world and perceived world don't match, it creates frustration
Reaction
THANK YOU