Rational Choice Theory

MICHAEL S. BAUTISTA, MAED

 Rational Choice Theory

- also called as Choice theory, developed by Dr.

William Glasser
-this theory is an explanation of human behavior or
simply “How” and “Why” we behave.
-some sociologist used this theory to explain social
change. According to them social change occurs
because individuals have made rational choices.
 Rational Choice Theory

• Decision Making- the process of choosing

a solution from available alternatives
• Rational Decision Making- a systematic
process of defining problems, evaluating
alternatives, or choosing optimal
solutions.
 Rational Choice Theory

•Dr. William Glasser- an internationally

recognized psychiatrist who is best
known as the author of Reality Therapy,
a method of psychotherapy he created
in 1965 and that is now taught all over
the world
 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RATIONAL CHOICE
THEORY
• Individuals are rational. –They can think in a logical way
• Individuals have interests. - Different people have different
interests.
-The interests of a person define her utilities.
• Individuals make choices. - The choices people make influence their
utilities.
• Individuals make choices in a rational way to increase their
utilities.
-A person does not have full control over the results of her choices.
 5 BASIC NEEDS (ACCORDING TO GLASSER)

• Fun- The need for pleasure, to play, to laugh, naturally

motivating and no one must bribe you to do these things
• Freedom- The need for independence
• Power- The need to achieve, to be recognized for
achievement/skills and to have a sense of self-worth
• Belonging- The need for love, for relationships, social
connection and part of a group
• Survival- The need for food, shelter and safety
 SEVEN DEADLY AND SEVEN CONNECTING
HABITS
• In Glasser’s Choice Theory, he highlighted the seven deadly sins in relations to
teaching must be replaced by the seven connecting habits.
• SEVEN DEADLY HABITS SEVEN CONNECTING HABITS
• *Criticizing *Caring
• *Blaming *Listening
• *Complaining *Supporting
• *Nagging *Contributing
• *Threatening *Encouraging
• *Punishing *Trusting
• *Rewarding students to control them *Befriending
 THE TEN AXIOMS OF CHOICE THEORY

• The only person whose behavior we can control is our own.

• All we can give another person is information.
• All long-lasting psychological problems are relationship problems.
• The problem relationship is always part of our present life.
• What happened in the past has everything to do with what we are today, but we can only satisfy our basic
needs right now and plan to continue satisfying them in the future.
• We can only satisfy our needs by satisfying the pictures in our Quality World.
• All we do is behave.
• All behavior is Total Behavior and is made up of four components: acting, thinking, feeling and physiology.
• All Total Behavior is chosen, but we only have direct control over the acting and thinking components. We
can only control our feeling and physiology indirectly through how we choose to act and think.
• All Total Behavior is designated by verbs and named by the part that is the most recognizable.
 CHOICE THEORY & PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

• For Glasser, mental illness does not exist. Instead, he posits that much of human
psychology stems from unhappy relationships.
• Psychopathology- is used by individuals to retrain anger, get help and for
avoidance.
• Reality Therapy-is the application of Choice Theory.
• It focuses on four main question:
What do you want? – quality world inquiry
What are you doing (to get what you want?)? – total behavior inquiry
Is it helping? – evaluation of total behavior
What else can you do? – Introduction of Choice theory
 STRENGTHS OF CHOICE THEORY

• Empowerment for clients as they learn that

they are in control of their own lives.
• Clients are not viewed as hopeless but rather as
doing the best they can.
• Helps clients focus on self-evaluation and
improvement.
 LIMITATIONS OF CHOICE THEORY

• Do not give enough focus on the past and closure on past

events.
• Do not consider factors such as repressed conflicts and the
power of the unconscious in influencing how we think feel
and behave.
• The idea that most Psychopathology is “chosen behavior
may place unnecessary guilt on clients who suffer from
‘illnesses’ such as schizophrenia (with hallucinations).