The Social Impact of Assertiveness

Abstract

Recent studies on the social impact of assertiveness have revealed that although assertiveness is perceived as a dimension that is regarded as highly competent and skillful, it also is viewed as unfavorable interpersonal behavior. Such factors as sex, empathy, assertiveness level, and race appear to moderate the perceptions of assertiveness, attesting to the highly complex, situationally specific nature of assertiveness and its social impact. Various findings about these moderators have been reported, but conclusive generalizations regarding this new area must await the results of future studies. Finally, several clinical implications for assertiveness training are explored.