April 30 - Tutorial
Goals of behaviour
Control theory

Understanding student behaviour can be assisted if we look at the goals of their behaviour and the needs that drive this behaviour. (overview)

Rollover the labels below to see the features of each of the goals of behaviour. Use these descriptions of the student behaviour and the reaction of teachers to help understand the possible motivation behind the behaviour of students. →

This handout of scenarios may provide you with some real life examples of students who you are likely to come across any day of your teaching life. →
Control Theory is a theory of motivation proposed by William Glasser and it contends that behaviour is never caused by a response to an outside stimulus. Instead, control theory states that behaviour is inspired by what a person wants most at any given time: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, or fun. (more . . .)

Choice theory states that:
  • all we do is behave,
  • that almost all behaviour is chosen, and
  • that we are driven by our genes to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun.

Reality therapy is the practical skill used when talking with students using an approach based on Control Theory.

* Interview with Glasser on The Key to Improving Schools *

Responding to complaints that today’s students are “unmotivated,” Glasser attests that all living creatures “control” their behaviour to maximise their need satisfaction. According to Glasser, if students are not motivated to do their schoolwork, it’s because they view schoolwork as irrelevant to their basic human needs.
 
Chapter 4 - Learner differences and learner needs: Pages 130 - 179
Chapter 10 - Motivation in learning and teaching: Pages 384 - 400
(Background only - very little coverage of these approaches in text)