This study employed a quasiexperimental control group design in a university setting to test the effect of a rater-training program on reducing social style bias in intragroup peer evaluations after controlling for ability based on GPA. Comparison of rating scores of the test group to the control group indicated minimal social style rating bias in…

Assessed conceptualizations regarding the characteristics of assertiveness group participants (n=9) at the beginning and end of a group Assertiveness Training program. Participants who demonstrated greatest gain in assertiveness also demonstrated largest shifts in conceptualizations. Moreover, substantial differences in conceptualizations were…

This study examined the relationship of social influences to use drugs and competence variables with lifetime poly-drug use for adolescents residing in inner-city regions. The same model was tested separately for boys and girls. Sixth- and seventh-graders (N = 2400) in inner-city schools self-reported substance use, social influences to use drugs…

This study examined adult resilience in the context of the adversity of unemployment. Seventy-seven unemployed job seekers completed a self-report survey containing the Resilience Scale (G. M. Wagnild & H. M. Young, 1993), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depressed Mood Scale (L. S. Radloff, 1977), and the Assertive Job Hunting Survey (H. A.…

In order to develop a comprehensive substance abuse prevention plan for a boarding school for American Indian middle school students, the students (N = 66) were surveyed at two time points and teacher reports and discipline records were collected. Factors most strongly related to substance use were affiliation with risk-taking peers, lower levels…

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)

Assessed the effect of assertiveness training of one partner in a couple (N=26) on both partners' perceptions of their relationship. Results showed both assertion trainees and their nonparticipating partners perceived significantly higher levels of trust and intimacy compared to the control group. (JAC)

Among guidelines for use of assertive training with mildly handicapped adolescents are the following: all the elements of assertive behavior should be analyzed and taught; classroom strategies should stress a proper sequence of instruction; and specific assertive skills should be taught with ample time being allocated for practice. (SW)

Encourages the use of assertion training for librarians to aid them in providing reference service, interviewing for employment, and handling difficult patrons. A list of references and a selection of readers' comments on the article is included. (FM)

Evidence indicates that after-school programs are beneficial to children in the elementary school years, especially when they target more than just problem behaviors, but also focus on a wide range of positive developmental outcomes such as critical thinking, self-awareness and self-confidence (Catalano et al., 2002). The most effective programs…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas will need over 82,000 new teachers by 2008. Many teachers are leaving the profession within 5 years of being employed. Closing a revolving door, teacher preparation programs are discussing this phenomenon. One hundred sixty beginning teacher candidates were surveyed using the Emotional Skills…

Power, powerlessness, and empowerment have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. Traditional applications of power tend to be autocratic and autocratic power continues to be accepted extensively in society. Increased use of alternative kinds of power is hindered by lack of skills, lack of opportunity for use, and inappropriate norms…

This study empirically tested the efficacy of group assertive training and group psychotherapy in alleviating depression among Cleveland Job Core Center for Women students. The two therapeutic methods were tested by assigning the "depressed" students to a psychotherapy group, an assertive training group, and a no-treatment control group. (Author)

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.…