Assertive behavior promotes the development of mutually satisfying relationships, with none of the disadvantages of passive or aggressive behavior. Because of the interpersonal and organizational benefits, managers should encourage assertive behavior throughout their organizations. (SK)

Suggests that connotations of assertiveness do not convey all of its meanings, particularly the components of positive feelings, communication, and cooperation. The application of semantics can help restore the balance. Presents a model for differentiating assertive behavior and clarifying the definition. (JAC)

An assertiveness training curriculum that was an expansion of two previous programs with young adolescents was presented to 22 fifth graders. Results did not show that training facilitated assertiveness on the performance components. Suggestions are offered for designing programs aimed at developing adolescents' assertive behavior in ways that…

The social impact of assertive versus nonassertive behavior in fourth- and fifth-grade boys was investigated. Subjects viewed and evaluated eight videotaped scenes of different ten-year-old male models responding assertively or nonassertively to given situations. Results suggest that assertive behavior is valued by elementary school boys. (RDN)

This study was conducted to compare the social style of Japanese and Americans. Participants included 241 Japanese students from Otsuma Women's University and Nihon University (Tokyo, Japan) and 252 American students from West Virginia University (United States). Each completed the Richmond-McCroskey Assertiveness-Responsiveness Measure (which…

Discusses the importance of impression management, an individual's conscious attempt to exercise control over selected communicative behaviors and cues for purposes of making a desired impression. Provides a comprehensive conceptualization of the impression-management process, and demonstrates how this process can facilitate effective training of…

Documented sex differences in speech and their significance are considered. The research literature on sex-differentiated speech reveals the influence of sex-role stereotypes and assumptions about the relation of speech to sex-differentiated socialization. The more substantiated differences form three clusters: (1) the production of esteemed…

Reports on a study of the relationships between assertiveness and cooperativeness dimensions of conflict styles among 202 graduate business students. Finds that preferences for assertiveness are reflected in both strategic and tactical use of behaviors. Also finds cooperativeness is associated with last-choice behaviors. (CFR)

Considers the positive impact black organizational members can make in the workplace because of their unique interpersonal style. Reviews the literature addressing cultural differences between black and white interpersonal communicators, and also addresses cross-cultural difficulties. (NKA)

This document contains two curriculum guides, the first dealing with accountability skills and the second with social skills. The guides are products of project GOAL (Guidance Opportunities for Affective Learning), a program intended to meet the social/emotional needs of handicapped mainstreamed students in grades K-6 by improving classroom…

Grade 12 students participated in a 1-semester cooperative education program and were monitored using the Personal Skills Map by Nelson & Law. Results indicate greater improvement in scores for the scales related to Interpersonal skills than for those in the areas of Career and Life-effectiveness skills. (LKS)

Uses a synthetic family strategy to demonstrate the operation of caregiving transactions with children judged either "difficult" or "easy." A total of 96 elementay-age boys were paired with unrelated mothers for videotaped interactions. Results focused on socially competent child behavior patterns. (CI)

Researchers and practitioners have generally concentrated on the following areas of social competence: (1) social assertion; (2) interviewing skills; and (3) conversational ability. Reviews issues of methodology. Studies are reviewed and recommendations for future research are made. (Author/BJV)

The Connecting with Others program, initially developed to teach prosocial skills to special-needs students within regular classroom settings, offers an alternative strategy to classroom management and discipline through instruction in self-regulation skills and conflict resolution. The program for elementary grades consists of a K-2 volume and…