Assertiveness Style

Abstract

It has been suggested that seeing a person manifest assertiveness in positive situations (commendatory assertion) will mitigate possible adverse consequences of seeing that person display assertive behavior in negative situations (refusal assertion). The central purpose of this study was to examine the possibility that adding empathy to a refusal assertion may serve a mitigating effect equivalent to that of commendatory assertion. Subjects observed a videotape showing a male or female stimulus model acting assertively, empathic assertively, or nonassertively in four different situations. Models were seen in four commendatory assertion situations, in four refusal assertion situations, or in two situations of each type. After viewing the videotape, subjects were asked to evaluate the model by completing the Interpersonal Judgment Scale. In addition, subjects completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory. In contrast to prior findings, regardless of context, assertive and empathic-assertive models were viewed as more likable than nonassertive models. Subject sex role orientation did not affect the social impact of assertive behavior. Implications of these results are discussed.