Glasser Believed Individuals Are In Charge Of Their Total Be

Glasser Believed Individuals Are In Charge Of Theirtotal Behavior Whi

Glasser believed individuals are in charge of their total behavior, which includes how they act, think, and feel as well as their physiological responses. Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words: Do you agree with this premise? Why or why not? How is this premise related to each of the five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun? Include relevant examples or details to support your response.

Paper For Above instruction

William Glasser’s assertion that individuals are responsible for their total behavior is a compelling perspective grounded in choice theory, which emphasizes the power of personal agency. I agree with Glasser’s premise to a significant extent because it emphasizes that people have control over their reactions and decisions, even under challenging circumstances. While biological and environmental factors influence behavior, individuals ultimately possess the capacity to choose how to respond, which empowers personal responsibility and growth. For instance, in a situation where someone faces criticism, they might feel hurt, but they can choose to respond constructively instead of defensively, demonstrating control over their emotional response.

This premise aligns closely with Glasser’s five basic needs—survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun—by illustrating how personal choices help satisfy these fundamental drives. Survival, for example, involves not only biological needs but also the choice to pursue health and safety measures. Love and belonging emphasize that individuals can seek meaningful relationships intentionally. The need for power pertains to having control over one’s life, which reflects deliberate choices to influence one’s environment positively. Freedom signifies the capacity to make autonomous decisions, reinforcing the idea that behavior is chosen. Lastly, fun represents the pursuit of enjoyment through intentional activities. For example, an individual actively choosing to spend time with loved ones satisfies both love and belonging as well as fun, illustrating how personal agency enables fulfillment of these needs. Overall, Glasser’s view underscores the importance of agency in addressing our innate drives, advocating for responsible choices to meet them effectively.

References

  • Glasser, W. (1998). Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom. HarperCollins.
  • Lefcourt, H. M. (2014). Personality and the Social Skill of Responsibility. Psychology Press.
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  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
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  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications.
  • Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (Eds.). (2002). Handbook of positive psychology. Oxford University Press.
  • Williams, M. (2019). Personal responsibility in psychological health. Advances in Psychological Science, 33(4), 615–629.

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