The premise that "sports builds character" is scrutinized through a discussion of several contact sports--boxing, hockey, and football. The fine line between assertiveness and aggression is explored, and the interrelationship between society and sports is investigated. (JN)

Examines children's compliance to directives given by their peers, with particular interest in children's success with directives. Examines the roles of status, directive form, and politeness cues. Outlines four instructional objectives for teaching children to develop effective controlling strategies. (JMF)

A self-administered assertiveness training program trained refusal of unreasonable requests from strangers and close relationships. Comparison with a placebo program indicated the assertiveness program produced superior effectiveness of assertion, content of assertion, verbalization of assertion-related obligations, persistent assertive…

Development and validation of this measure follow the behavioral-analytic method described by Goldfried and D'Zurilla. The measure's three subscales correlate with peer and teacher reports of subjects' interpersonal behavior and have moderate split-half and test-retest reliabilities. (Author)

Proposes an assertiveness training program suitable for adolescents in a high school group setting. After role-playing examples, students should begin formulating their own responses. Early work in this area indicates that students eagerly participate in assertiveness training groups, and are quick to pick up the skills required for assertive…

A behaviorally-oriented activities therapy program was designed and implemented with adolescents who manifested problems at school, at home, and with peers. Techniques employed included: contingency contracting, assertiveness training, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring. (Author/KC)

Twenty-four underassertive adults were randomly assigned to two treatment orders that included covert modeling and behavior rehearsal. No measurable difference in treatments was found, but participants preferred and had greater expectations of behavior rehearsal. Skill generalization to untrained situations occurred on 8 of 11 behavioral measures.…

Studies effects of behavior rehearsal and audiotaped vignettes added to an assertion training lecture series for third graders. While clear increases in assertion were found, no effect on neuroticism or trait anxiety was noted. It was recommended that school mental health programs include an assertiveness segment in their curriculum. (Author/BEF)

Tested multidimensional formulation of assertiveness and substance use in 3 metropolitan-area school samples (N=675, N=1,430, and N=5,545) of adolescents including White, Black, and Hispanic students aged 12-14 years. Found Substance-specific Assertiveness inversly associated with substance use and Social Dating Assertiveness positively associated…

Describes a structured group program for women who repeatedly diet and may be at risk of developing more serious eating disorders. Discusses sessions focusing on eating behavior as well as internal factors that contribute to low body esteem and food and weight preoccupation. Evaluates effectiveness of program by self-reports of members of two…

Critiques recent research on the social evaluation of assertive speech. Proposes an alternative theoretical framework, based on speech act theory. Assertiveness is viewed as a style of conversation occurring in complex interpersonal contexts. (Author/BJV)

Surveyed 316 men and women from 3 age categories (20-29, 35-55, and 65 or older) about their major regrets and priorities in life. The most frequently cited regrets were related to missed educational opportunities and failure to have been more assertive and to have taken more risks. Differences were found between age groups; gender differences…

Investigated relationship between assertiveness tendencies and safer sex behaviors in 253 heterosexual college students. Hypothesized that assertiveness would vary positively, and nonassertiveness negatively, with caution about engaging in sexual intimacy, inquiring about potential partner's sexually transmitted disease risk history, and frequency…

Six-session systematic assertiveness training program based on social cognitive theory and focusing on peer interactions and social responsibility was presented to 22 sixth graders. Compared to control group, students who received training performed significantly better on test of cognitive acquisition of the information at posttest and six-month…

Investigated the relationship between initial understanding of information given by the school psychologist at parent conferences and characteristics of parents (anxiety, parental expectations, assertion, and language level). Language level of the parent, age of the parent, and socioeconomic status were significantly related to recall. Anxiety,…