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)

Reports that women employ fundamentally the same personal influence strategies as male managers to affect others in a work organization. States that assertive behavioral strategies remain one of the few characteristics distinguishing male from female respondents. Specific recommendations for change are addressed. (Author/CH)

Investigated the relationship between sex role orientations and performance in interpersonal situations. Males and females in each of four sex role categories role-played situations requiring the appropriate expression of assertiveness. Androgynous subjects were most effective in rated skills components while undifferentiated subjects were highly…

Recent research on sex differences in aggressive styles is reviewed. The concept of indirect aggression in particular is presented and discussed, and it is argued that it is nonsensical to claim that males are more aggressive than females. A theory about development of aggressive behavior styles is presented. (SLD)

Feminine sex-role behavior, which includes deferential, nonassertive behavior, may stem from women's low status position and powerlessness. In a study of male and female college students, perceptions of the acceptability of assertive behavior were examined as a function of: (1) sex and status characteristics of assertive speakers; (2) sex of the…

While a great deal of clinical research attention has been directed toward assertive training, there have been few studies examining the social impact or interpersonal evaluation of assertive versus unassertive behavior, including the differential evaluation of assertiveness exhibited by males and females. In this study, subjects observed a…

Compared the assertive behavior of two groups differing in information-processing style. In experiment one, high conceptual-complexity (CC) subjects demonstrated greater content knowledge, direct delivery skill, and fewer negative self-statements. In experiment two, high versus low CC females were more assertive in difficult situations. (Author/RC)

Paralinguistic and nonverbal behaviors were the best predictors of ratings of subjects' overall performance. Complex verbal categories were the most significant predictors of skill across different situations. Results also showed clear sex differences in degree and pattern of cue usage between male and female judges. (Author)

Differential responding for males and females on individual items from the Adult Self Expression Scale was investigated using four samples. Men report themselves as more assertive in dealing with bosses and supervisors. Women report themselves as more assertive in expressing love, affection, compliments, and anger to one's parents. (Author)

Empirical and conceptual issues in the delineation of the construct of assertiveness can be viewed from the perspectives of social, personality, and clinical psychology. Results from a social psychological research program aimed at defining the nature and determinants of assertiveness suggest a need for replication to other subject populations,…

Male (N=24) and female (N=24) college students at two southern universities role-played situations requiring them to either make or refuse a request. Results indicated that population differences exerted some influence on assertive behavior but sex differences did not. (RC)

Three methods of data collection (nomination technique, survey instruments, and interviews) were used in a study that examined the way power was perceived by men and women in an organization and how women acquired and manifested power in a male-dominated organization. A total of 86 teachers and administrators were interviewed with the following…

The assertive acts of 48 toddlers and the responses of peers and teachers were registered. It is argued that the higher response rate recorded for boys' acts informs the child that such behavior will produce an effect in his world, while the lack of response to girls' acts suggest the opposite to girls. (Author/RDN)

One explanation for the lack of contraception use among adolescents is that young women may feel embarrassment or rejection by their partners if they initiate the use of contraception. To explore young adults' reactions to contraceptive use, 160 college students evaluated a description of an unmarried young couple which varied the length of time…

This study investigated the influences of gender, school year, and socioeconomic status on assertiveness for black students attending four predominantly white, southeastern universities. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative data on assertiveness were collected from 560 black freshmen and juniors…