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This article presents a current overview of the concepts of Choice Theory and the process of Reality Therapy as developed by Dr. William Glasses A historical perspective, a rationale for the need of a new psychology, and continuing advancements of the theory are offered.
Dr. William Glasser, an internationally renowned psychiatrist, dynamic lecturer, author, and president of the William Glasser Institute, is the founder of Reality Therapy (RT) and Choice Theory (CT). The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a current explanation of the concepts of Choice Theory and the process of Reality Therapy. A brief historical review of key developments is offered as a frame of reference.
HISTORY
In 1965 the book Reality Therapy by Dr. William Glasser was published. This book was, in a sense, Glasser's formal documentation of his break with traditional psychiatry. The interest in his ideas was of such magnitude that in 1967, in order to further the study of his new theory, Dr. Glasser founded the Institute for Reality Therapy. As the Institute expanded into fields other than therapy and with the concepts of Control Theory being developed in 1994, the Institute was renamed the Institute for Control Theory, Reality Therapy and Quality Management. In 1996, the name was changed to The William Glasser Institute.
Dr. Glasser has written several well-known books, including Reality Therapy (1965), Schools Without Failure (1969), Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives ( 1984), The Quality School ( 1990, revised 1998), Staying Together ( 1995), and Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom ( 1998). For several years Glasser used the term control theory to explain how the brain works as a control system. The words, control theory, imply external control and since Glasser has always taught that we choose all we do, he decided in the spring of 1996 to call what he teaches Choice Theory. When reading Glasser's material written prior to 1996, the reader can substitute choice theory for control theory.
A NEW PSYCHOLOGY
Glasser ( 1998) has said people have not made any significant progress in human relations in the last 100 years. Do husband and wife, parent and child, teacher and student or boss and worker get along...