Choice Theory & Mental Health Problems
Page Contents
Making Sense of Choice
Michael Glasser’s Choice Theory is a groundbreaking approach that empowers individuals to take charge of their own happiness and well-being.
By understanding that our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all choices that we make, we can gain control over our emotions and ultimately improve our mental health.
Choice theory teaches us to focus on what is within our control, rather than being overwhelmed by external influences, and has much in common with Stoic philosophy that has remained relevant for over 2000 years.
This powerful framework allows us to make conscious choices that align with our values and core beliefs, leading to increased resilience, better relationships, and a higher quality of life.
Choice theory is a critical component of Reality Therapy, an approach used extensively for overcoming mental health problems, particularly in the USA.
Choice Theory and the Locus of Control
Our ability to both recognise and then make good choices is intimately linked to our core beliefs regarding how much ‘power’ we have to actually make those choices.
For example, you might claim that you have no choice but to pay your mortgage every month, however this is simply not true.
You CAN choose not to pay your mortgage if you so wish, but the consequences of doing so may be that you lose your house, or suffer some other form of financial penalty.
However, by claiming that you have no choice but to pay your mortgage, what you really mean is that you would prefer not to default on your mortgage as you would like to avoid the negative consequences of making that choice!
This is NOT the same as having no choice though!
In this example, you clearly do have the power to make a choice but the consequences of making that choice are simply unpalatable to you.
Rotter’s Locus of Control is a measure of how much we believe we are able to have some influence (control) over events in our lives.
The Locus of Control is measured along a continuum with an “internal locus of control” at one end, and an “external locus of control” at the other.
People who have a predominantly “external locus of control” tend to feel powerless to influence the trajectory of their lives and believe they have very little choice.
An external locus of control is closely associated with poor mental health and learned helplessness.
Those who have, or who learn to develop, a more “internal locus of control”, tend to believe that their lives are largely determined by what they decide to do and that they are always able to make a choice.
An internal locus of control is linked to resilience to stressors and good mental wellbeing.
Core Beliefs: World, Self & Others
There are 3 core beliefs that we use to make sense of the world and our experiences.
Technically these are known as:
Extra-personal beliefs – beliefs about how the ‘World works’ (the world outside of ourselves)….
Learned Helplessness: Giving-Up Without Trying
Learned helplessness is a psychological concept that refers to a state of mind in which you may feel helpless and unable to change a negative situation, even when opportunities for change are presented.
It is a condition that results from repeated experiences of failure or lack of control over the environment.
Confirmation Bias: Validating Pre-Existing Beliefs
Confirmation bias describes a mental process by which we have a tendency or a ‘leaning’ towards seeking out evidence that fits with our existing beliefs.
A further consequence of confirmation bias is that we also tend to ignore, or simply not ‘process’ evidence that contradicts what we believe.
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