Examined the appropriateness of assertive behavior in a study of 174 adults who read descriptions of assertive behavior with varied situational contexts. Results suggested assertiveness by women is viewed as slightly more appropriate. Both males and females expected higher appropriateness ratings from their own sex. (JAC)

Examined the reliability of the 30-item Modified Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (MRAS) using the test-retest method over a three-week period. The MRAS yielded correlations of .74 using the Pearson product and Spearman Brown correlation coefficient. Correlations for males yielded .77 and .72. For females correlations for both tests were .72.…

The turn exchanges of normally developing eight-year-old boys and girls (n=20) were examined within adult-child dyadic interactions. Results indicated no gender differences for nonsimultaneous turn exchange behaviors but significant differences in overlap subtypes and simultaneous resolution patterns. Gender differences were consistent with the…

Eighty-four 11-year-olds were grouped in three levels of extraversion on the basis of their Junior Eysenck Personality Inventory score. They were then given an arithmetic test consisting of addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. A significant interaction between extraversion, sex, and type of operation was found. (Author/CH)

The Revised Behavioral Assertiveness Test for Children was assessed in a study using children who judged other children's videotaped responses to the test. The results question the social validity of the component approach, and whether we may be teaching assertiveness skills that are useful to adults but not to children. (KH)

Determined whether a difference exists in the assertive behavior levels of disabled and nondisabled individuals. Studied differences between demographic factors of disabled persons that are related to levels of assertiveness. Results indicated differences existing between demographic variables, assertive expression of persons with disabilities,…

Examined assertive behavior related to the perceptions of individuals of different race and gender. Students (N=144) viewed videotapes of Black and White females and evaluated their behavior on the Henry Assertive/Aggressive Rating Scale. Results confirmed traditional racial and sexual stereotypes. (JAC)

Assessed the relationship between the women's movement and crime. Responses to questionnaires measured aggressiveness, criminal behavior, and attitudes toward sex roles in people (N=577) aged 15 to 60. Males showed greater aggression and more criminality. For both sexes, attitudes toward women's rights were unrelated to criminality. (Author/JAC)

The study described revealed gender differences in adolescents' patterns of overt and covert interpersonal social behaviors. Females' overt behaviors were more competent in terms of greater eye contact, situationally appropriate self-expressiveness, and adoption of independent stances. Males were more likely to respond in an inappropriately…

This study examined the hypothesis that group size can influence whether 9- to 10-year-olds display self-assertive versus self-deprecating responses to interpersonal competition, especially under stress. Findings indicated that individuals displayed more assertive behaviors during competitive game-playing in groups than in dyads, and more…

Assessed self-reported compliance, anger, and sympathy among subjects identified as dependent (N=26) or overcontrolled hostility (N=25), who read accounts of four different request styles. Dependent and overcontrolled subjects were not more compliant; however, females responded to the assertive request with more anger and less sympathy than did…

Explored how dominance in the competitive MovieViewer (MV) task related to peer preference and assertive behavior, and whether relations differed for boys and girls. Found that sex interacted with dominance rank to explain peer acceptance but not rejection. High ranked boys were accepted more by peers than low ranked boys, while low ranked girls…

This study surveyed the connection of empathy and self-esteem with active sporting. The subjects were 1,381 members of Finnish baseball teams between the ages of 8 to 16. The instruments used in testing the subjects were: (1) the modified Mehrabian & Epstein Empathy test (1972); (2) the Battle Self-Esteem Scale, Form B (1981); (3) the…

Male graduate students exhibited significantly more aggressiveness (interruptive behavior) than female students in both male and female professors' classes, although more male aggressiveness occurred in female professors' classes. Male students were more verbally assertive in female professors' classes only. Among students, aggressiveness was…

A study of college students showed that asserters and males expressed more anger and aggression and nonasserters experienced more covert anger. Men scored higher than women on guilt and condemnation of anger, a reflection of the study sample rather than an actual population difference. (Author)