Social Evaluations of Assertiveness: A Critique and Speech Act Reformulation

Abstract

A conceptual and methodological critique of recent research on the social evaluation of assertive speech demonstrates that while the research is internally valid within its narrow sphere, it lacks ecological validity, cannot adequately explain important phenomena such as gender differences, and leads to misguided clinical prescriptions. An alternative theoretical framework, based on speech act theory, is proposed. Assertiveness is viewed as a style of conversation occurring in complex interpersonal contexts. Such analysis encompasses an understanding of the grammar and speech acts used in assertive conversation, as well as the social roles (including gender and status relationships) that are created and maintained through conversational interaction. As women represent the majority of clients and consumers of assertiveness therapies, the interests and concerns of women are a special focus of the suggestions for increasing the ecological validity and clinical relevance of future research.