Distinguish Between Nonassertive, Aggressive, and Assertive Behaviors

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The Answer is Answers regarding the nonassertive situation will vary but will include a clear distinction among nonassertive, aggressive, and assertive responses to the situation. Regarding the differences in behaviors, nonassertive persons are self-denying, inhibited, hurt, and anxious; let others make choices for them; and do not achieve their goals. The receivers of the nonassertive behavior may feel sympathy, guilt, or contempt for the actor and achieve their goals at the actor's expense. Aggressive persons achieve their goals at others' expense; express their feelings, but hurt others; and make choices for others. The receivers of the aggressive behavior feel hurt, defensive, humiliated, or taken advantage of. Assertive people act in their own best interests, express their feelings, but respect the rights of others with their goals being achieved and self-respect maintained. The receivers of assertive behavior feel respected and get to express their feelings, and may also achieve their goals with self-worth being maintained. The first step in becoming assertive is to convince oneself of three basic rights: One has the right to refuse, to request, and to right a wrong. To improve your assertiveness for a particular situation, you would begin by rehearsing the dialogue, posture, and gestures you would use. You would then practice in front of a mirror or role-play the scene with a friend. When role-playing, it is important to have the friend take the part of a really aggressive person as well as a cooperative one. Rehearsal and role playing should also be used before a person expects a possible confrontation with someone, such as asking for a raise, challenging a grade, or confronting a landlord. Another important principle is overlearning (practice that continues after initial mastery of a skill). When you rehearse or role-play assertive behavior, it is essential to continue to practice until your responses become almost automatic. This helps prevent you from getting flustered in the actual situation. One more technique you may find useful is the broken record. This is a self-assertion technique involving repeating a request until it is acknowledged. Repetition is also a good way to prevent assertion from becoming aggression.

Distinguish Between Nonassertive, Aggressive, and Assertive Behaviors

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