Reality Theory 1

Reality Theory and its use in Group Counseling

Jennifer Sabol

APU EDCO 555

Fall 2 2010
Reality Theory 2

Reality Theory and its use in Group Counseling

The approach of the Reality theory is one that the person has the responsibility to

make decisions good or bad and then has to learn to deal with the consequences. This

theory is used with students with behavioral problems and can help alleviate future ones

if the students who are introduced to the theory learn how to continue to use it. Reality

Theory was developed by William Glasser and was associated with the five basic needs

that a person can’t fully function without. Group sessions based on reality theory tend to

be person centered and focus on the present. I will discuss what reality theory is and how

it can be applied in-group counseling in schools, Strengths and limitations of reality

theory, and group goals and evaluation methods used in relation to reality theory in

schools.

William Glasser discovered reality theory after studying the Freudian

approach and was left with many questions. He wrote the book Reality Theory (1965),

and a couple years later Schools Without Failure (1969). Glasser’s approach to dealing

with problem behaviors is to satisfy the five needs that a person has and after that the

person will not have behavior problems. The five needs that Glasser highlighted is:

Survival, Love and belonging, Power or recognition, Freedom, and Fun

(ChangingMinds.org 2011). When students are able to control these five needs then they

should be free from behavior problems. In reality theory the main focus lies in the

present, also that a person possesses the power to control the outcomes of their behaviors.

His theory puts a lot of responsibility onto the subject and forces them to be in control of

their behaviors. To Glasser, the reasons that you perform certain behaviors are because

you are lacking in one of the needs he described. In a Journal article about the Evolution
Reality Theory 3

of Reality theory to Choice theory William Howatt (2001) talked about how Glasser

changed his theory from Reality based to Choice Theory. “According to Dreikurs

(1952), Adler believed a persons basic mistakes in life could be understood as mistakes in

commonsense thinking. Glasser (1984) argues the behavior we present to the world is

always a choice. His divergence stems from the concept of self-control (2001).”

During group counseling, Reality theory can be used to enlighten students of the

five needs that have to be met daily so that they can control their behaviors. In some

groups the focus is on how your needs are met and not really of the emotions or feelings

of the person. Reality theory or Choice theory is based around the idea that you control

everything so the group leader works on getting the group to meet their needs. The first

thing that a group needs to establish is trust. The students need to trust the leader and the

group members; otherwise they will not be comfortable and will not openly work on

themselves (2001). The next part of the theory is to get the group members to self

evaluate their behaviors and to have them see what they are doing that is unwanted.

According to Wubbolding (1988) reality therapy helps individuals regain control over

their behaviors. After the group has established trust and have learned to self evaluate

their behaviors, the group works on ways to prevent their behaviors through actualizing

that they control what is happening. Once they realize that they are causing the behaviors

then they can modify their acts and work on using other ways to meet their needs.

One of the main structures of Reality theory is the questions that are asked to the

students in the group. According to Wubbolding (2006) having students answer Socratic

method questions can help them to understand more about themselves and develop their

existing knowledge, and they can learn from their peers. Through this exploration
Reality Theory 4

students touch on things that they would not normally discuss. Thus activating the

knowledge that they have about themselves and others. Reality theory is not like group

counseling where you sit about and discuss you problems, it is more of a self-exploration

of what makes you perform in certain ways and what control you have on your behaviors.

With all theories there are strengths and limitations with reality theory. Some of

the strengths that reality theory has are it is easily understandable and can be used with

students of all ages. Because you only have to have an understanding that you are in

control and that you have needs, almost anyone can use reality theory. Another strength

is that the theory is applicable to a wide range of clients. The theory can be tailored to

work with students that are victims, achievement oriented, and clients who are resistant to

therapy. The focus on behavior makes it non-threatening to some people because initially

you don’t have to talk about your feelings and about your past to uncover some

breakthrough. Some limitations that Reality theory has are that it ignores the role of

environmental factors and blames everything on the person. Also Glasser originally did

not believe in mental illness and thought that people were just weak and using it as an

excuse. Other reasons that Reality theory has its limitations is because it can be too

simplistic and has too little focus, progress is based on how much the student or person

puts into the therapy so if you have a person that does not care then reality therapy will

not benefit them.

When running a group using Reality theory the focus of the group should be on

trust and the idea that a person controls their own behavior. The group atmosphere

should not feel like therapy, it should be light and open, with an emphasis on discussions.

When introducing the theory to the group it should be explained in a way that lets the
Reality Theory 5

members grasp the idea and understand that they have the control in the group, not the

leader. Explanations of the theory include discussing the five needs that should be

satisfied. Every week the goal of the group meeting should be to answer more questions

and learn more about themselves as well as why they perform the unwanted behaviors.

One way of evaluating progress is through self-evaluations. Every group meeting at the

end members should evaluate where they think they need to improve their behaviors and

how much they understand what is causing them to behave in that way. In one research

journal Byron Loyd (2005) wanted to find out the effects of the choice or reality theory

on high school students perception of the four psychological needs outlined by Glasser.

Literature has shown that not meeting these needs causes a rise in unwanted behaviors

and higher levels of anger, disruptive classroom behaviors, and lack of academic

performance and motivation (2005). Loyd’s study found that in three out of four of the

needs there was improvement through discussion of the principles. In the areas of Fun,

Freedom, and Power students showed a greater understanding of their behaviors and let

to a decrease of unwanted behaviors. However, in the area of belonging there was not

significant growth in either group (2005). From this research journal Loyd presented

recommendations for counselors to use in school settings. More information can be

obtained from a longitudinal study of the reality theory and the understanding of the

psychological needs.

Glasser’s Reality Theory is used widely in schools from elementary to high

schools to help students work on their problem behaviors. With the right students and the

right approach this theory can alleviate problem behaviors with students and improve

academic achievement. I find this theory to be helpful in giving students the tools to help
Reality Theory 6

themselves and to understand that they are in charge of their behaviors and decisions.

This theory can empower students to become more self aware of their actions and can

also help them to understand themselves better. Giving the power back to the students is

one way that we can continue to help them, and they can continue to become better

students.
Reality Theory 7

References

Howatt, W. A. (2001). The evolution of reality therapy to choice theory. International

Journal of Reality Therapy, 21(1), 7-12. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Loyd, B. D. (2005). The effects of reality therapy/choice theory principles on high school

students' perception of needs satisfaction and behavioral change. International

Journal of Reality Therapy, 25(1), 5-9. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Reality Therapy Power Point Presentation. (n.d.) Retrieved from

www.psych.umn.edu/courses/spring06/.../reality%20therapy.pdf

The William Glasser Institute: Who we are, Dr. Glasser. (2010). Retrieved from

http://www.wglasser.com/index.php?

option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=58

Wubbolding, R. E. (2007). Glasser Quality School. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research,

and Practice, 11(4), 253-261. doi:10.1037/1089-2699.11.4.253