Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives

by William Glasser

Explains the inner basis of all our behavior and feelings and the way by which we may control our emotions and actions for healthier, productive lives

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Reference, Self Help, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Steve Kingsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that is well worth reading!

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting old book but definitely limited by the author's bias and experiences, especially considering that it's 40 years old now.

Not a fan of chapter 11. As a person who has experienced sleep deprivation to the point of psychosis I know what it's like to be acting crazy vs experiencing crazy and when you should and should not be culpable for your actions.

Chapter 14 goes on to illustrate the problem with professionals and laypeople misusing statements such as "sleeplessness" or "not sleeping" to describe the experience and behavior of having trouble falling or staying asleep, but getting 2 - 6 hours of sleep while calling that sleeplessness and "not sleeping".

If the author had ever stayed awake for 48+ hours (no 2 hours of sleep, no 20 minute naps, no microsleeps, nothing), he'd have a new opinion on what loss of control from craziness is and why you're not responsible for any of your actions while in such a state.
Also the importance of giving somebody in that state some form of medication to sleep, even if it's not natural/normal sleep, before the build up of toxins and schizophrenic like symptoms put themselves or others' health and safety in serious danger.
NO sleep at all is more debilitating and unhealthy than abnormal sleep, after 48+ hours on ZERO sleep -to be healthy- we need sleep regardless if it's normal or abnormal.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Definitely changed my life on how to not let controlling people take over your life and get in control of your own. Especially in this quarantine it is a definite must read to help with those struggling with mental illness. Although I do not agree with all of the points raised in this book, it is a new perspective on how to view life in all its struggles. Furthermore, it explains how to regain loss of control that comes with discrepancies between our reality vs pictures of what we want our reality to be.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Glasser gives us the foundation and the tools to live in harmony and respect with others. This book is excellent for helping each person determine their own particular life-needs and how that is to be lived out among others.

The examples he uses are now very dated, but they get the point across. For any counselor or individual who wants to emotionally grow stronger, this is a critical book. Read in conjunction with his book "Choice Theory".

[Mohammed Hafiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It might be a good start for young readers; it have some good ideas burried in loads of stories, i think reading it from part 17 till the end will get you to the point.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

We do have a choice!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing! This book is not about controlling others but instead a good look at what it is we truly have control over in our own lives. I stumbled across this book 20 years ago at a time when I really needed to learn what this book had to share. My copy is well worn as there are many times I need a good refresher.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent descriptive analysis of how we choose to control ourselves and our world. I intend to read every William Glasser book I can in the next few months. I am very turned-on by his analysis and presentation of human bio-psychology.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the reason I read this book was for this insight into the transforming of the way to think about indecision and confusion built out of ambivalances. Glasser reframes this set into an active process of reorganization.

[Ami Mariscal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in middle school and it changed my life. It taught me to base my experience of the world on thoughts I could control, not on external factors that I could not change. Thank you William Glasser.

[Melanie]

you want to know what my world view is based on? here ya go

[Linda Branham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely wonderful book. It is not about controlling others... but about the things that control "us"