Many years ago, Dr. William Glasser began his investigation about how people choose their behaviors. He was following the work of other cognitive psychologists who understand the difference between a behavior of choice and one that is the opposite.
Folks like B.F. Skinner believe that people only behave based on some kind of external action. When your phone rings, for example, you are compelled to answer. This view of the world is called behaviorism.
Behaviorism is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, and conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our actions are shaped by environmental stimuli. We
must behave like the dogs who salivate when the bell rings. It is a way of life that prohibits an individual from choosing how to behave.
The opposite set of beliefs argues that humans can choose what to do when given a stimulus. They have free will that allows them to be free agents in any given situation. But living this way can be difficult. It is much easier to just go along and follow everyone else. But how can someone do this?
Well Glasser created a pretty sophisticated process for making personal change. He called it Reality Therapy and here is how it works:
First, Glasser argues that we each have a small theoretical little world (he called it our Quality World) in which we put all the things that matter to us. You might have your family, your religious beliefs, your political beliefs, and cherished memories etc. Once something is there, it is difficult for it to be removed unless some action happens that changes your view of it (like a divorce). Included in that world are the ideas that matter to you and your view of yourself. As you begin to make decisions in the world you measure them against this world which allows you to use your free will.
But what if it’s hard to make a decision. What if you are challenged by your situation? Glasser’s Reality Therapy process can help. It is a simple four step process what allows you to make better decisions based on what matters to you.
Ask yourself these four questions in order:
- What do I want?
- What are you doing to get what you want?
- Is it working?
- What else can I do?
The first question is incredibly difficult to answer because it is really easy to fool ourselves. It takes time and a serious self-review to come up with the true answer. But once that happens then becoming a problem solver for yourself is easier.
Glasser always said that it takes a few years and practice to become skilled at this self-therapy process. His book, Reality Therapy, can be helpful. There is much to discover in this thinking but moving forward in the world without a behaviorist view can be very liberating.
I encourage you to try to investigate.
Progressive Teachers Network 
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