Adler emphasized the goal-directed or purposeful nature of behavior, plus the unified 'holistic' striving of all individuals. Taking this Adlerian perspective of behavior, correctional counselors use the technique of lifestyle investigation. In such an investigation, the following family atmosphere characteristics are analyzed: birth order in relation to other siblings, interaction between family members, the sibling's main competitor, and unstructured early recollections from childhood experiences which are in harmony with a person's present outlook. Information gathered from this investigation generally makes possible the construction of a person's behavioral motivations and interpersonal goals and attitudes. As the counselor works with an offender to develop details of the behavioral goals of the client, the client can often enter the perspective of an observer of his/her lifestyle and the consequences of it. If the client no longer wishes to experience the consequences of the lifestyle portrayed or takes a negative posture toward the prior goals evidenced in his/her behavior, the counselor can work with the client to set new goals that can be more successful in satisfying the client's need perception. Changes come slowly and only after continuous behavioral analysis and the development of a revised system of behavioral controls. A case study of how the lifestyle investigation can work is provided. Ten references are included.