The concept of assertiveness is defined, some of the theorized reasons for nonassertiveness problems are examined, and some methods used in assertiveness training are described, with special attention to their application with pharmacy students. Assertiveness training is recommended for pharmacists to assume a leadership role in health care.…

Subjects scaled 48 positive and 32 negative assertion vignettes according to similarity of difficulty to determine how people cognitively present complex social situations. Analyses indicated each dimension could be described according to major component(s) that contributed to it and dimensions varied in importance as a function of assertion…

A seven-week sequence of one-hour sessions of practice in assertiveness skills is elaborated. The mini-course is designed for the personal and professional development of senior baccalaureate nursing students. (SK)

Examined frequency of verbal attention-seeking responses (VASRs) as an indication of level of social confidence. Veteran drug addicts received communication skills and assertiveness training. Comparison of VASRs indicated communication training was effective in improving social confidence. (RC)

Undergraduates completed self-report inventories of assertiveness, participated in behavior role-playing tasks and in vivo measures of assertiveness, and completed the Personality Research Form E (PRF-E). Of 22 PRF-E scales, 11 had at least one significant correlation with assertiveness measures. Some composites of PRF-E scales were related to…

Investigated the adequacy of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS) as a global measure of assertiveness. Analysis indicated that the RAS does not provide a unidimensional index of assertiveness, but rather measures a number of factors including situation-specific assertive behavior, aggressiveness, and a more general assertiveness. (Author)

Examined effects of client elaboration of imagery during covert modeling treatment and effects of treatment of unassertiveness on self-efficacy. Covert modeling plus elaboration achieved greater change than other covert modeling groups. Treatment effects brought clients within range of subjects regarding themselves as adept in social situations…

Assertiveness training programs in the school setting provide a method to work with students with behavior problems. When students can manage their environments more effectively, they view the educational experience more positively and find that their present world and their transition to the adult world proceeds more productively. (Author)

Results supported the reliability of the behavior sample measure and one self-report form. Convergent validity was evident for all assertion instruments, but only the role-play measure showed pronounced discriminant validity. The utility of global self-ratings of assertion and anxiety was minimal. (Author)

Instances of conversational disruption caused by a clanger, or interactionally aggressive utterance, which disrupts the expected relationship of verbal moves in conversation are examined at the phonological, lexical and syntactic levels. Speakers use clangers to redefine the relationship between the participants in the interpersonal domains of…

The correlation between communication apprehension and fear of negative evaluation was significantly stronger for volunteers than nonvolunteers. The results demonstrated a network of behavioral relationships beyond the self-selected problem. Knowledge of these correlates could significantly influence decisions about the design of interventions.…

Data were collected from 20 couples with satisfactory marriages and 20 maritally dysfunctional nonviolent couples to evaluate characteristics associated with wife abuse. Abusive husbands were less assertive, abusive to children, and witnesses to parental spouse abuse; they were also likely to be conservative and alcoholics. (Author/RC)

Reading grade levels were obtained for 11 commonly employed self-report assertion inventories by use of the Flesch Reading Ease Formula. Directions for the inventories ranged from the seventh-grade to college graduate reading grade level. Inventory items were more readable, with scores ranging from the seventh- to the twelfth-grade level. (Author)

A multicomponent model to improve test taking skills of learning disabled (LD) adolescents is proposed to encourage anxiety management, problem solving skills, assertiveness, study skills, and student confidence and control. The role of the LD consultant in this process is described. (CL)