Choice Theory by William Glasser
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Choice Theory by William Glasser describes a method to bring people closer together in relationships. According to the author, the core of most major human problems is the misery caused by unsatisfying relationships. Further, the problems in such relationships are exacerbated by traditional therapeutic methods, labelled by Glasser as external control psychology. Glasser proposes a new psychology called choice theory which emphasizes personal freedom. This book is intended to teach the audience the harmfulness of external control psychology and how to replace it with choice theory. The person who uses choice theory continually asks himself or herself whether their actions will bring them closer to people in relationships or farther apart. To understand choice theory it is first necessary to understand external control psychology and how the two differ. External control psychology encourages relationships in which people with power destroy the personal freedom of the powerless. Those in power, and this ranges from government officials to spouses to parents, operate on the theory that they know what is right and it is their moral obligation to coerce others to conform. External control psychology "is the psychology of our ancestors, our parents, and grandparents, of our teachers and leaders, of almost all the people we know or know about" (6). According to Glasser, external control psychology is the cause of most of the misery in the world.
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e use of threats and punishment are common in a boss-driven environment. In contrast, the lead management environment is one in which workers are encouraged to give input toward the goals of improving quality and lowering costs. Such workers have a high degree of autonomy. The lead manager creates an environment that facilitates continual improvement. Lead management encourages everyone in an organization to subordinate their demands to the needs of the work relationship: "What makes lead management so successful is that it focuses on creating a cooperative system and on the belief that if you treat people well and explain what you want them to do, you can trust them to do a good job" (290).
Needs are important in any relationship, whether it be work, marriage, family, or school. According to Glasser, human beings have five genetic needs. These needs are: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. Because these needs are genetic, their strength does not change. Thus Glasser suggests that people analyze their own needs-strength profiles and those of others with whom they wish to establish productive relationships: "Not only should you not marry a person with a markedly different personality, but you should
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1533
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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