In reality therapy, behavior is viewed as a deliberate choice aimed at fulfilling what?

• A. Basic needs
• B. Genetic predispositions
• C. Social expectations
• D. Unconscious wishes

Answer: (A)

In reality therapy, behavior is seen as a deliberate choice aimed at satisfying basic needs. The approach, rooted in Choice Theory, holds that people act to meet fundamental needs such as love and belonging, power or achievement, freedom, fun, and survival. When distress occurs, it’s because the current actions aren’t effectively meeting those needs or aren’t chosen in a responsible way. The therapist works with the person to evaluate and adjust their behavior so their actions better fulfill these needs while considering the impact on themselves and others. This focus on voluntary choices to meet core needs is why basic needs is the best answer. The other options point to factors like genetics, social expectations, or unconscious wishes, which reality therapy emphasizes as less relevant to explaining deliberate behavior.