Glasser's position on mental illness is that diagnostic labels give clients permission to act sick or irresponsible. Which option best reflects this view?

• A. Diagnostic labels help clients take responsibility.
• B. Diagnostic labels have no impact on behavior.
• C. Diagnostic labels give clients permission to act sick or irresponsible.
• D. Diagnostic labels cure mental illness.

Answer: (C)

In Glasser’s framework, how we label someone’s mental state can shape how they view themselves and their choices. He argues that diagnostic labels can put people into a “sick role,” giving them permission to act sick or irresponsible and use the label as an excuse not to take responsibility for their behavior. This perspective comes from his emphasis on responsibility and choice in how we meet our basic needs, rather than seeing behavior as determined by a fixed illness.

So the best option directly reflects this idea: diagnostic labels give clients permission to act sick or irresponsible. The other statements don’t fit because they either imply labels promote responsibility, have no behavioral effect, or cure illness, which conflicts with Glasser’s view that labels can undermine agency and accountability rather than create genuine change.