Activating the desire to learn.

An Annotation by Laurie Walsh

Internal control psychology’s choice theory is the topic of this book.  The author has been an educator for over 30 years, and he began practicing this theory over 20 years ago.

Glasser developed the theory as a

“biological theory that suggests we are born with specific needs that we are genetically instructed to satisfy” (8).

Our four basic psychological needs are:

• belonging or connecting,
• power or competence,
• freedom and
• fun.

We all create our idealized internal or “quality world” based on having our safety and/or psychological needs met.

Sullo states,

“What we put in our internal world is what we are willing to work for.  If we hope to inspire more students to do high-quality work, we need to create learning environments that result in more students putting school, learning, and working hard into their internal world.  This occurs when students discover that learning helps them connect, be competent, have choices, and be free, all in an environment that promotes safety and survival” (10).

The author devotes one chapter to the research and results that prove internal control psychology works.  The remainder of the book is comprised of case studies, commentaries, and implications for educators.  The case studies are from the perspectives of students, teachers (K-12), counselors and administrators.

Sullo, B. (2007) Activating the desire to learn.  Alexandria, Virginia: Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development.