The Rational Choice Theory

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how William Glasser argues against what he sees are traditional, dictatorial remedies teachers and administrators use to address the problems of student learning in the classroom. Glasser applies his philosophy of psychiatry, known as the rational choice theory to school pedagogy and administration. The paper explains his theory that is designed to empower students, foster creativity amongst students and encourage all students to increase the level of personal investment in the quality of their work. The paper shows how Glasser aims to bring joy back to the classroom through group work and students' responsibility for the performance of other students.

From the Paper:

"Glasser's philosophy is designed to empower students, just as his philosophy was originally intended to empower workers in industry and clients in therapy to take responsibility for their own decisions, actions, and learning. His philosophy frees teachers, administrators, and managers from the responsibility of having to bear the responsibility for the quality of the work of their students, and the responsibility of controlling the actions of others an impossible task. Glasser's theory of the innate trustworthiness of individual's natural impulses for self-betterment, and his distrust of hierarchical, standard operating procedures in management reflects a fundamental paradigmatic shift assessing the roots of human unhappiness as well as a lack of productivity."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Glasser, William. (1990) The Quality School: Managing Students Without Coercion. HarperCollins Paperback 1998 Reprint.
• Glasser, William. (2006) "Dr. Glasser's Corner." The William Glasser Institute Newsletter. Retrieved 18 Feb 2006 at http://www.wglasser.com/A%20message%20from%20Dr%20G.pdf
• Greene, Bradley H. (2006) "Rubric for measuring quality school progress." Homepage of the William Glasser Institute. Retrieved 18 Feb 2006 at http://www.wglasser.com/qsrubric.htm
• Warner, Sylvia. (2002) "Rogers: Howell Academy Receives Federal Grant." Homepage of the William Glasser Institute. Retrieved 18 Feb 2006 at http://www.wglasser.com/news.htm
• "Who we are." (2006) Homepage of the William Glasser Institute. Retrieved 18 Feb 2006 at http://www.wglasser.com/whoweare.htm

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