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Abstract
Choice Theory lends a riveting perspective to the topic of gender roles and gender identity. In the beginning, the basic tenets of choice theory are reviewed. The remainder then focuses on socially constructed gender roles, the gender identity, and the ways they relate back to the framework William Glasser originally posited. The application of Reality Therapy and the concepts of the five genetic needs, and the Perceptual System are integrated throughout.
Basics of Choice Theory
Choice Theory sees almost all human behavior as being chosen. Glasser has mentioned some exceptions of culpability during wartime, extreme poverty, and illness. Individuals are motivated by five genetic needs: survival or self-preservation, love and belonging, power or achievement, freedom or independence, and fun or enjoyment (Wubbolding, et al., 2004). People generate behaviors in ways that satisfy one or more of these needs; however, individuals do not satisfy their need directly but by matching the pictures in their Quality World. Choice Theory informs us that all that people can do is behave. Therefore, all behavior is purposeful but not necessarily responsible. In Choice Theory terms, we would not say "When individuals act out" because all they CAN do is behave. The Quality World is comprised of people, places, things, situations, values, and beliefs that are very important to them. These five sources of behavior are universal and "multicultural in that all human behavior is driven by them" (Wubbolding, 2000). Every individual, being a unique human, are driven by needs but it is what the person 'wants' or the Quality World picture that drives the car, an analogy that Glasser uses to describe Total Behaviour comprised of four wheels or components. It is in this sense that the driver or individual views options and chooses the direction that he thinks will best match the picture that he presently wants. In this sense, he is able to meet one or more of his needs.
The immediate source of specific behaviors is the discrepancy between what the person perceives he wants and what he actually perceives he is getting. Reducing this discrepancy or gap might ultimately end that particular behavior; however, the system never stops and the person can only move on to other 'wants' and other pictures so that...