Rational choice theory adopts a utilitarian belief that humans are reasoning actors who weigh

means and ends, costs and benefits, in order to make a rational choice. This method was
designed by Cornish and Clarke to assist in thinking about situational crime prevention. It is
based on the simple premise that every individual only has the power to control themselves
and has limited power to control others
The principles of choice theory are:

 The only person we have a chance to control is ourselves.

Since every human being is internally motivated and controlled, it follows that “external
control” or “outside control” really isn’t possible. We are not designed to be controlled by
another person; nor are we designed to control others.

 Every human being behaves for totally personal reasons.

People don’t behave for some reasons that are personal, or for reasons that are mostly
personal. They behave for reasons that are totally personal. All of our motivation comes from
within. We may change our behavior in response to a threat from someone else, or we may
disregard the threat and do what we want, but either way we are deciding for reasons inside of
us.

 Attempts to control another person’s behavior will end poorly.

Because we are not designed to be controlled by others, or to control others, all our efforts to
do so will harm the relationship between the controller and the controlee, and will also harm
the quality of the task or product being demanded.

 All behavior is purposeful.

Any behavior is an attempt at that moment to meet a Basic Need. it is our “best” attempt to
meet a need. If we believe that people are internally controlled, then we must also believe that
we behave for a reason, including the behavior of choosing to be miserable.

 Positive changes are powered by positive relationships with key individuals.

This may sound obvious, but it is striking how often this is ignored. A worker, for instance, will
work for an employer with whom they enjoy a positive relationship, even in a content area the
worker doesn’t particularly like. And the opposite is just as true where a worker will do
marginally in a content area they like because they are at odds with the employer. One of the
things that happens because of a good relationship is trust, and very little of value happens
without trust.

 Effective assessment is standards-based and always includes self-evaluation.

Measuring against a standard, especially when it comes to professional licensing e.g. passenger
plane pilot or brain surgeon, is important. However, the essential piece in the assessment
process always comes back to how the individual being evaluated evaluates himself.

 Positive changes in behavior always come from tapping into a person’s strengths, not
from trying to eliminate a person’s weakness. Weaknesses represent areas in which we
lack, sometimes significantly, so expecting changes to be based on areas in which do not
have an affinity for or the needed skills seems a bit ill-advised.
References:
https://wglasser.com/what-is-choice-theory/
https://glasseraustralia.com.au/what-we-teach/choice-theory/