Overview of the Choice Theory
The choice theory was developed by William Glasser, and it seeks to explain human behavior as a result of internal motivation. According to Dr. Glasser, we choose all of our behavior in an attempt to satisfy any of pour five basic needs as human beings. That said, every aspect of our lives is a choice, and this includes our doings, physiology, thoughts, and feelings. While it is hard to have a choice over physiology and feelings, we do have a free choice as far as our doings and thoughts are concerned, and these can then affect the first two.
Glasser’s argument is that we have total control over the wholeness of our behavior, and this leads to a more empowered, responsible, co-dependency, and blame-free life. That said, there is no one and nothing that can make us feel or do anything because all we do as humans is to give and/or receive information. This information does not have the power to make us feel or do anything. The way we filter or perceive the information is completely dependent on us and it is our choice (Theory, 2018) .
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Glasser came up with ten axioms that best describe the choice theory, and these include:
We can only control our own behavior and nobody else’s.
Information is all that we can provide another person.
All long-term psychological problems have their roots as relationship problems.
The problem relationship is always a part of our current life.
Our life today depends on what happened in our past, but we can only satisfy our current basic needs and plan to continue doing so in the future.
We can only satisfy our needs when we satisfy the pictures that exist in our quality world.
All that we ever do is behave.
All behavior is comprised of four components, which include: physiology, feeling, thinking, and acting.
Our overall behavior is chosen. However, we only have direct control over two components: acting and thinking. We then control our physiology and feeling indirectly by the manner in which we choose to think and act.
Finally, our overall behavior is guided by verbs and defined by the most recognizable part, for example angering, depressing, and aggressing, etc.
Now, consider yourself as a human being who has the capability to think rationally and exercise free will regarding whether or not they will commit a crime. During the decision-making process, one will consider the rewards, benefits, costs, and risks that are associated with an act of crime. These could include public humiliation, jail, arrests fines, loss of jobs, and in the extreme cases, a death sentence. On the other hand, participating in crime gives you an adrenaline rush, a sense of fulfillment, and easy goodies. Crime is a math equation, and when the benefits of crime outweigh the costs, then individuals participate in crime to obtain what they need or want. The option that you go for forms the basis of the choice theory.
The rational choice theory was first developed by economists before being taken up by criminology studies later in the 1970s. Jeremy Bentham used the theoretical framework of utilitarianism and criminology to discuss the concept of hedonistic calculus or calculus of pleasure. Hedonistic calculus argues that people usually weigh the possible pleasures and pains of committing a crime and then act accordingly. Jeremy further argued that every individual has the choice of whether to engage in crime or not. Offenders and non-offenders are similar in that they are both rational individuals who make decisions based on what they feel will benefit them the most. These individuals engage in rational thinking and decision-making process where they way the benefits of offending or not offending against the costs (Theory, 2018) .
Overview of John Wayne Gacy Societal Background
A look at John Wayne Gacy societal background shows that he had a very rough upbringing where he had to deal with several issues. His father was a drunkard and he would beat Gacy and his siblings with a razor strap whenever they misbehaved. The father would also physically assault Gacy’s mother in front of the children. It reached a point that the children learned to toughen up, and Gacy would no longer cry when beaten. Matters even became worse for Gacy when he was diagnosed to be suffering from a congenital heart condition, a situation that resulted in further alienation at school. Instead of being his top support system, Gacy’s father considered him a failure because of his sickness, and he labeled him a ‘sissy’. Gacy later became aware of his attraction to men, and his sexuality caused him great turmoil. During Gacy’s youth, being gay was considered a taboo. When he realized that he was gay, he decided to hide this side of him and he pretended to be straight his entire life (John Wayne Gacy | Biography, Murders, Execution, & Facts, 2018).
Application of the Choice Theory in John Wayne Gacy
Without a doubt, John Wayne Gacy had a tough childhood. From the fact that his father broke his social bond when he was small. He would physically abuse John when he was a child and he often referred to him as a sissy. All these coupled with the fact that Gacy had a heart condition and he was bullied at school. It must have been very tough for him. However, the fact still remains that everyone has a choice to make on what path to follow in life
The fact that Gacy was a very successful businessman means that he had the potential to rise above his challenges and become a good man in the society. However, he always felt the need to ‘revenge against’ and ‘prove himself’ to his father and the society. It was already proven that Gacy did not have any mental challenges, which is further proof that he participated in crime willingly. Also, when he was given a chance to say his last words before being executed, Gacy simply said, ‘Kiss my ass.’ It is evident that he was not remorseful at all because this is the life that he had chosen, and he was contented with it (TFP, 2018).
According to Glasser’s Choice theory, all behavior usually stems from the insides despite the external influences that might have triggered it. Choice theory understands that every human being has five basic needs, and these include power fun, freedom, security, and love and belonging. For the case of Gacy, he was lacking the need for love and belonging both at home and at school. He also lacked power because of the unfortunate circumstances of his illness as a child and his forbidden desires. For this reason, he was looking for an activity/engagement that would give him a sense of identity. He also felt that being a feared criminal is something that would give him the deep sense of power that he had been craving all his life.
Why the Choice Theory is better
My classmates argue that the psychological and social theories are the ones which best explain the reasons why Gacy got into crime. However, it is important to understand that there are so many people who experienced challenging childhoods, just like Gacy. However, they did not resort to crime. In fact, most of them managed to rise above their conditions and become successful people. That said, Gacy had the choice whether to engage in crime or not, and he chose the former. I believe that the choice theory is the one that best explains the life of Gacy. I love the fact that choice theory revolves the idea and belief that we all have control over how we react to all the challenges that we face.
One of the axioms of the choice theory is that w e are the only ones who can only control our own behavior and nobody else’s. The theory also acknowledges the fact that a ll long-term psychological problems have their roots as relationship problems, which is the evident situation in Gacy’s life. All the same, Gacy had control over the way he thought and acted, and this consequently affected the way he thought and acted regarding his situation. It is, therefore, evident that the choice theory is the one that comes in handy to explain the case of John Wayne Gacy (Theory, 2018) .
References
John Wayne Gacy | Biography, Murders, Execution, & Facts. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Wayne-Gacy
TFP. (2018). Who is John Wayne Gacy? Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved from https:// www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-Wayne-Gacy-6689.php
Theory, A. (2018). A Very Brief Introduction to Choice Theory - HeadStuff. Retrieved from https://www.headstuff.org/topical/science/psychology/brief-introduction-choice-theory/
