Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Exam

According to William Glasser's Control Theory, what motivates our behaviors and actions?

1. A desire for academic achievement

2. Attempts to satisfy needs

3. Peer pressure

4. A need for social acceptance

The correct answer is: Attempts to satisfy needs

William Glasser's Control Theory posits that our behaviors and actions are primarily motivated by the desire to satisfy our basic needs. According to this theory, individuals are driven by internal needs such as survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. These needs create a framework for understanding human behavior and decision-making. When individuals engage in actions, they do so in an attempt to meet these needs, thereby influencing their choices and interactions with the world around them. In contrast, the other options focus on specific external motivators or situational factors rather than the broader, intrinsic motivation described by Glasser. A desire for academic achievement could be seen as a manifestation of these needs but does not encompass the full range of motivations outlined in Control Theory. Peer pressure and a need for social acceptance may also play a role in influencing behavior but are examples of external influences rather than the foundational motivators of our actions as per Glasser's framework. Thus, the focus on internal need satisfaction is what makes this answer fitting within the context of Control Theory.