Mentally retarded adults (N=180) were asked 30 yes/no questions, to determine if their acquiescence is explained by indiscriminant yea-saying in response to the yes/no question format or due to subjects submitting to the influence of the interviewer. After selected questions, the interviewer either nodded his head "yes" or shook his head…

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…

The relative efficacy of systematic desensitization and assertive skill training in increasing assertive responses, reducing anxiety related to being assertive, and increasing response satisfaction, was compared to two control conditions--a placebo-control (discussion) and an assessment-control. Also investigated was the effect of the subjects'…

Surveyed 100 nondrinking adolescents utilizing a behavior analysis questionnaire designed to assess influences on learning not to drink. Results suggest that parents who did not drink had a strong influence. Effective modes of self-control were also discovered; teenagers revealed assertiveness skills in saying "no" to peer pressures. (Author/JAC)

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)

Supports the tenet that American college students tend to make assertions that correspond to their sex-role stereotypes. (RL)

Thirty-two assertive situations that varied in social-interpersonal context were administered to 60 hospitalized psychiatric patients via role playing. Support for a stimulus specific theory of assertive behaviors and implications for assertive training are discussed. (Author)

The paper includes a critical analysis of the conceptualization and measurement of the traditional and nontraditional categories of sex-role orientation along with a redefinition of those categories which parallels deCharms's (1968) categories of origin/pawn. This operational definition was applied to a small-group study which found that, as…

The present study analyzed the components of assertive behavior. Assertiveness problems were conceptualized in terms of a task analysis of the topography of competent responding. Subjects (N=101) who spanned the range of assertiveness responded to three sets of situations requiring refusal of an unreasonable request. (Author)

Factor-analyzed objective measures of interpersonal behavior presumed to be tapping assertiveness. Most of the behavioral measures loaded highly on a general factor of assertiveness. The fifth behavioral measure loaded highly on a separate factor, response latency. All behavioral measures with the exception of response latency evidenced…

Examined the applicability of an expectancy/decison model to assertiveness in a nonclinical population. Results suggest that participants consider the consequences of being assertive when making a decision about how to behave. Training programs should take into account the participant's perceptions of the risks involved in being assertive.…

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)

Reports the results of a study on the ways in which alcohol is built into the social role and social life of college students. Provides direct support for the idea that the patterns of drinking alcoholic beverages are integral to social and structural aspects of college. (LKS)