ABSTRACT
William Glasser was most proximately influenced by the work of William Powers. In Powers' opinion, 'Control Theory' provides a true-to-life alternative to the 'mechanistic formalisms' of behaviourism. In 1996 Glasser changed the name of the theory. The theory has progressed beyond the abstractions of the control theorists. In fact the theory and its delivery system, Reality Therapy, are applicable to virtually all human relationships. Earlier, Alfred Adler had written extensively about the fact that human behaviour is teleological, that is, it has a purpose which originates within a person. The ultimate, most fundamental source of human motivation is the internal system of human needs. The human needs system crosses all cultures. In his book, Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom Glasser emphasizes the importance of this need by stating that unsatisfactory or non-existent 'connections' with people are the source of almost all long-term human problems.
