Brief description of Assertiveness and its theory.

1. By
Pooja Mandora

3. Definition
Assertiveness training is a form of
behavior therapy designed to help people stand up for
themselves—to empower themselves, in more contemporary
terms. Assertiveness is a response that seeks to maintain an
appropriate balance between passivity and aggression.

5. History
 Assertiveness Training ("AT") was introduced
by Andrew Salter (1961) and popularized by Joseph
Wolpe.
 Joseph Wolpe originally explored the use of
assertiveness as a means of "reciprocal inhibition" of
anxiety.
 Wolpe's belief was that a person could not be both
assertive and anxious at the same time, and thus being
assertive would inhibit anxiety.

6. Characteristics of Assertive
Behavior
 Assertive Behavior is Interpersonal Behavior involving
honest and relatively straight forward expression of
thoughts and feelings
 Assertive Behavior is socially appropriate
 A person behaving assertively is taking other’s feelings
and welfare into account

7. Test Your Assertiveness
• Can you express negative feelings about other
people and their behaviors without using abusive
language?
• Are you able to exercise and express your
strengths?
• Can you easily recognize and compliment other
people’s achievements?

8. Test Your Assertiveness
• Do you have the confidence to ask for what is
rightfully yours?
• Can you accept criticism without being defensive?
• Do you feel comfortable accepting compliments?
• Are you able to stand up for your rights?

9. Test Your Assertiveness
• Are you able to refuse unreasonable requests from
friends, family, or co-workers?
• Can you comfortably start and carry on a
conversation with others?
• Do you ask for assistance when you need it ?
A “yes” response to the questions indicates an assertive approach.

10. Categories of Assertive Behavior
• Refusal Assertiveness – Appropriate and skillful
blocking/refusal to acquiesce, any attempts of others to
impose their goal directed behavior or interfere with
your goal directed behavior. Being able to say NO
• Commendatory Assertiveness - Ability to express
positive feeling, liking, love admiration, appreciation…
• Request Assertiveness

11. What’s Keeping You From Being
Assertive?
• Fear of change
• Refusal to admit their submissiveness.
• Fear of ruining relationships if you speak your
mind.
• Lack confidence in your ability

12. Theory of Non-Assertivness
 Wolpe – Due to maladaptive conditioning. Anxiety
and Assertion are incompatible. He talked about
Counter conditioning.
 Cognitive Theory – Non assertion is negative
expectations and self statements that block initiation
or execution of assertive behavior.
 Bandura – “Self efficacy expectations”.

13. Other reasons
 Negative Self – talk (I will make situation only
worse, I am a failure)
 Rules we create for ourselves
 Perception we create for ourselves and others

14. Assertive exercises
Joseph Wolpe gave 6 Excitatory(Assertive) exercises:
◦ Use of Feeling Talk : “I like…”; “I dislike…”
◦ Use of Facial Talk – use of facial expressions
◦ Practice in expressing contradictory opinion when one
disagrees
◦ Practice in the use of “I”
◦ Practice in agreeing when complimented
◦ Practice in improvising and acting spontaneously

15. Few simple communication
exercises
 Use “I” messages and “feeling” verbs.
 Discuss your goals and accomplishments.
 Show an interest in others.
 Match your delivery to your message.
 Know how to respond to compliments.
 Disagree mildly.
 Disagree more emphatically when it’s necessary to
get your point across.

16. Few simple communication
exercises conti…
 Ask for clarification when you’re confused.
 Don’t be afraid to ask “Why?”
 Speak up for yourself.
 Be persistent.
 Don’t feel compelled to always justify your feelings
and opinions.

17. Techniques
 Exposure Therapy
 Visualization
 Behavioral Rehearsal
 Focusing on Voice Tone
 Use of Video tapes
 Role Reversal
 Home- Work
 Use of Hierarchy
 Escalation

18. Techniques Conti…
 Cognitive Techniques like cognitive restructuring
 Making Your Messages Assertive
1. The most effective way to communicate assertively is to
prepare a script of what you want to say.
2. Plan it, write it out, fine-tune it, memorize it, and practice it
— then present it.
 PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

19. Techniques Conti…
Helps you prepare and deliver successful assertive scripts
D = Describe
E = Express
S = Specify
C = Consequences
4 Step Process “Acronym DESC”

20. Benefits of being Assertive
 Assertive behavior can actually reduce physical and
mental stress because people feel less like victims and
more like influencers.
 Communication becomes clearer and more concise,
which reduces misunderstandings and clarifies
expectations
 Because problems are solved quickly, resentment,
frustration and other tensions that block peak
performance are minimized.

21. Benefits of being Assertive
 Helps to become problem-solvers rather than victims of a
system they believe they can’t control.
 Instead of wasting time by gossiping and complaining —
which accomplish nothing — employees focus on the
positive, productive steps they can take to solve problems.
 Being assertive gives you the confidence and
communication skills to go after and get what you really
want.
 After all, if you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else
will.

22. Thank You