Assertiveness training is a form of behavior therapy designed to help people stand up for themselves in a balanced way between passivity and aggression. It was introduced in the 1960s and involves learning honest and straightforward expression of thoughts and feelings in a socially appropriate manner. Assertiveness training uses exercises like role playing, exposure therapy, and cognitive techniques to help people overcome fears and develop confidence in expressing themselves and refusing unreasonable requests. Being assertive can benefit mental health and improve communication and problem solving.

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