This presentation summarizes William Glasser's Choice Theory, which was developed in the 1970s. It asserts that individuals are internally motivated to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love, power, freedom and fun. Choice Theory focuses on empowering relationships and transforming "deadly habits" like criticism into caring habits like support. The presentation also discusses how Choice Theory has been effectively applied in educational settings to improve student outcomes, encourage self-directed learning, and develop relationships. While Choice Theory can be challenging to implement, it provides a framework for understanding human behavior and motivation.

1. 2015 International Reflective –Reflexive Practice
Education Conference
On
Choice Theory
Presentation by:
Group Name: 5Star Reflectors
Codisha Webster
Currline Cooper
Tadeen Winter-Williams
Trish Charlery
Cheryl Clement Lindsay
Starla Gordon

2. Overview of the Choice Theory
Choice Theory was implemented by
Dr. William Glasser in the late
1970’s. (The William Glasser
Institute, 2010).
Founded by Dr. W. Glasser, the
William Glasser Institute maintains
that Choice Theory psychology is a
new enlightenment of human
behaviour. (The Glasser Institute
Ireland, n.d).
According to Glasser’s theory
(1998) “we are internally, and
not externally motivated”.
Additionally, Choice Theory
emphasises that;
• all we do is behave; almost all
behaviour is chosen.
• we are driven by our genes to
satisfy five basic needs:
survival, love, power, freedom
and fun.
Choice Theory is all about
relationships. It encourages us
to choose empowering
relationships.

3. It focuses on external motivation
as a catalyst for destructive
behaviours.
Glasser labeled these behaviours as
the:
7 Deadly habits
1. Criticizing
2. Blaming
3. Threatening
4. Punishing
5. Bribing
6. Nagging
7. Complaining
 It asserts that we can gain
happiness when we transform our
deadly habits into empowering
ones.
These are known as the:
7 Caring habits
1. Supporting
2. Encouraging
3. Listening
4. Accepting
5. Trusting
6. Respecting
7. Negotiating different experiences
Overview continued

4. Who is it for?
Students, Teachers, Counselors, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Business Professionals ,
Psychologists, etc
What results can we expect?
 When students put this theory into practice they place emphasis on themselves
rather than external forces and become self-motivated and confident.
Additionally, this would increase their ability to achieve success.
 Leaders can employ Choice Theory to produce a non-coercive environment
which encourages everyone to self-evaluate and achieve quality work.
 Individuals who apply the Choice Theory to their own lives learn how to
consciously self-assess and reflect in order to get the best results from their
environment.
Choice Theory can be beneficial to anyone trying to understand their drive in life and
the reasons for their motivation to achieve their goals.
Implications of Choice Theory to Reflective- Practitioners

5. Implications of Choice Theory to
Education
Classrooms and schools that utilize Choice Theory share the
following characteristics (Choice Theory and Reality
Therapy, n.d) :

6. Effectiveness of Choice Theory in
Education
 Students become self-directed learners: when students take
control of their own learning they become more self-aware,
responsible and focused.
 Students become better team players and are able to develop
good relationships in the classroom.
 Students feel more comfortable engaging with teachers.
 Students are intrinsically motivated.

7. According to Journal Of Educational and Instructional Studies in the World
(Volume: 2 Issue) teachers and students who use Choice Theory in their
curriculum have improved academically.
The Table below shows a comparison between students’ scores before and
after training of Choice Theory implementation.
Table 2 mean of scores
Lessons N Mean(pre training) Mean (post training)
Persian Literature 24 13.625 14.917
Persian Language 24 13.917 15.875
Mathematics 24 12.625 14.25
Chemistry 24 13.5 15.75
Biology 24 13.688 15.042
Theology 24 14.979 18.062
English Language 24 13.396 14.292
Arabic Language 24 14.062 14.485
Statistics of Glasser Theory

8. Critique of Choice Theory in Education
Strengths
Encourage students to take
control of their own learning.
Help students to realize the
consequences of their own
behaviour.
Allow students to discover
solutions to their own problems.
Help students to understand
their needs and identify
legitimate ways of satisfying
these needs.
Improve relationships in the
learning environments and
organizations through the
choices we make.
Limitations
It is difficult for teachers to help
students satisfy their need for control
without feeling threatened.
It is difficult to react properly when
communicating with students about
their inappropriate behaviour.
It is difficult to help students
experience the true sense of autonomy
implied by the Choice Theory if outside
influences dictate what is taught in
school and how children should be
disciplined.
Students may not have the necessary
skills to make plans that will improve
their behaviour.
Glasser fails to acknowledge that not all
students want to attend school,
especially to improve their behaviour.

9. Summary
This presentation has highlighted a brief overview of Choice Theory, its
implications and effectiveness in education.
As a group we believe that this theory is not only effective to reflective
practitioners but more so greatly needed in the field of education. An
understanding as to why we do the things we do is imperative in the journey
of change. As such, we chose this theory to give a greater insight to others as
to how their choices and habits can affect their behaviours. Additionally, we
chose to inform others of the many benefits and characteristics of Choice
Theory in education. Since Glasser’s Choice Theory can help manage our
learning situations and create an empowering learning environment then
individuals should not hesitate to rid themselves of habits that disempower
them. Therefore our question to you is, what are you waiting for to get on
board? Remember the choice is yours. Make the choice to join us today!
Make the choice
to join us!

10. References
Choice Theory and Reality Therapy.(n.d.). Retrieved from:
http://www.slideshare.net/tina_santos14/choice-theory-and-reality-therapy
Glasser, W. (1998). Choice theory. Retrieved from:
http://www.choicetheory.com/ct.htm
Kianipour, O., & Hoseini, B. (2011). Effectiveness Of Training The Choice theory of
Glasser to Teachers on Improvement Of Students‘ Academic Performance; Journal Of
Educational and Instructional Studies in the World , 117. Retrieved from:
http://www.wjeis.org/FileUpload/ds217232/File/15.kianipour.pdf
The William Glasser Institute Ireland. (n.d.). Welcome to choice theory psychology.
Retrieved
from: http://www.wgii.ie/index.php/138-uncategorized/202-failte2
The William Glasser Institute (2010). Who we are. Retrieved from:
http://www.wglasser.com/who-we-are/dr-glasser