The Five Basic Inherent Needs in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy
The Five Basic Inherent Needs in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy
Understanding the Human Drive Behind Every Behavior
At the heart of Choice Theory[1] and Reality Therapy[2], both developed by Dr. William Glasser, lies a powerful and universal insight: all human behavior is an attempt to satisfy five basic, genetically hardwired needs. These needs are not learned or chosen, they are part of our biological design. According to Glasser, every action we take, whether constructive or destructive, conscious or unconscious, is driven by our effort to meet one or more of these essential needs.[3]
In Reality Therapy, understanding these needs allows individuals to gain insight into the motivations behind their behaviors. The therapeutic goal becomes helping individuals evaluate whether their current actions are effectively meeting their needs, and if not, guiding them toward more responsible and fulfilling choices.
The Five Basic Needs in Choice Theory
1. Survival
The foundation of all needs—physical well-being and safety. This is the most basic and instinctual need, shared with all living creatures. It includes:
- Food, water, shelter
- Health and wellness
- Financial security
- Physical safety
In Reality Therapy[4], individuals may struggle with this need when experiencing chronic illness, unstable housing, or unsafe environments. Helping them address these concerns is often a necessary first step before exploring other psychological needs.
2. Love and Belonging
The need to connect, love, and be loved.[5] According to Glasser, this is the most important psychological need and is central to mental health. Humans are inherently social beings who require emotional connections to thrive. This includes:
- Relationships with family, friends, and partners
- Social acceptance and support
- A sense of connection to a group, community, or cause
When this need is unmet, individuals may feel isolated, lonely, or unmotivated. In Reality Therapy, therapists work with clients to explore how they can build, repair, or improve relationships, and how they might meet this need in healthy ways.
3. Power
The need for achievement, recognition, and a sense of inner worth. This need is often misunderstood. Power in Choice Theory is not about control over others—it’s about:
- Competence and mastery
- Achievement and success
- Autonomy and influence
- A sense of contribution and significance
When this need is thwarted, individuals may resort to aggressive, manipulative, or overly competitive behavior, or may withdraw altogether. Reality Therapy[6] helps individuals identify more effective and responsible ways to meet this need through personal growth and purposeful action.
4. Freedom
The need for autonomy, independence, and self-determination. Freedom includes:
- The ability to make choices
- Personal space and privacy
- Creative expression
- Flexibility and spontaneity
People often become distressed when they feel trapped, overly controlled, or powerless.[7] In therapy, helping individuals reassert their ability to choose, even in small ways, can restore a sense of freedom and reduce resistance, resentment, or helplessness.
5. Fun
The need for joy, play, and learning. Fun is not frivolous, it is a basic psychological need. It involves:
- Humor, play, and laughter
- Curiosity and exploration
- Creativity and imagination
- Enjoyment of life
In therapy, the absence of fun can indicate burnout, depression, or emotional exhaustion. Helping individuals reconnect with what brings them joy is not only healing, it’s necessary for sustaining long-term well-being and motivation.
Meeting the Needs: The Central Goal of Reality Therapy
Every person is constantly trying to meet all five of these needs, though the intensity and expression of each need vary by individual, culture, and life stage. The core principle of Reality Therapy[8] is that people are responsible for how they attempt to meet their needs. When behaviors are ineffective, hurtful, or self-defeating, the therapist does not punish or diagnose, instead, they help the individual reflect:
- Which need(s) are you trying to meet?
- Is your current behavior effectively meeting that need?
- What might you do differently that could work better?
Through the WDEP system (Wants, Doing, Evaluation, Planning), Reality Therapy guides individuals to re-align their behaviors with their values and desired outcomes.[9] The therapy fosters insight, accountability, and empowerment, rooted in a deep respect for the fact that every human action, even the most troubling, is an attempt to meet a legitimate need.
Practical Application: Examples of Needs in Real Life
| Scenario | Likely Underlying Needs |
| A teenager skips school repeatedly | Freedom (autonomy), Fun (boredom), Power (feeling competent) |
| An adult in an unfulfilling job feels angry and disengaged | Power (achievement), Freedom (feeling stuck) |
| Someone constantly argues with their partner | Love and Belonging (feeling disconnected), Power (not feeling heard) |
| A person uses substances to cope with stress | Fun (numbing), Love and Belonging (social connection), Survival (stress relief) |
Conclusion
The five basic needs outlined in Choice Theory form the cornerstone of Reality Therapy. By recognizing that all behavior is an attempt to meet these needs, therapists and clients can work together to create meaningful, compassionate, and lasting change. Rather than focusing on pathology or the past, Reality Therapy empowers individuals to take control of their present choices and move toward a more fulfilling life, one where their needs are met through responsible, effective behaviors.
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[1] Levin, Jonathan, and Paul Milgrom. “Introduction to choice theory.” Sep. 2004,
[2] Wubbolding, Robert E. “Reality therapy.” The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology (2010): 1-3.
[3] Wubbolding, Robert E. “The voice of William Glasser: Accessing the continuing evolution of reality therapy.” Journal of Mental Health Counseling 37.3 (2015): 189-205.
[4] Wubbolding, R. “Reality therapy.” Contemporary theory and practice in counseling and psychotherapy (2016): 173-200.
[5] Sadeghi, Nina, Mojgan Sepahmansour, and Roya Kouchak Etezar. “Reality Therapy Effect on Alexithymia and Posttraumatic Growth in Women With Love Failure.” Journal of Research and Health 14.3 (2024): 259-268.
[6] Wubbolding, Robert E. “Reality therapy.” Contemporary psychotherapies for a diverse world. Routledge, 2012. 339-372.
[7] Bradley, Ezrina L. “Choice theory and reality therapy: an overview.” International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy 34.1 (2014): 6.
[8] Glasser, William. “Reality therapy.” The evolution of psychotherapy: The second conference. Routledge, 2014.
[9] Arab, Arefe, and Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee. “The magic of WDEP in reality therapy.” European Journal of Psychology Open (2023).
