Who developed the concept of reality therapy in the 1950s and 1960s?

• A. William Glasser
• B. Carl Rogers
• C. Erik Erikson
• D. Abraham Maslow

Answer: (A)

Reality therapy was developed by William Glasser in the 1950s and 1960s. It emphasizes taking responsibility for one’s actions and solving problems in the present by making better choices. The approach is built on Choice Theory, which holds that behavior is chosen to meet five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. In practice, therapists use the WDEP process (Wants, Doing, Evaluation, Plan) to help clients assess whether their current actions are helping meet those needs and to formulate concrete plans for more effective choices. This focus on present behavior, accountability, and deliberate choice is what links reality therapy to Glasser. By contrast, Carl Rogers is known for client-centered therapy, Erik Erikson for psychosocial development stages, and Abraham Maslow for the hierarchy of needs—grounds that don’t align with reality therapy.