Toward a task analysis of assertive behavior.

The present stud)' analyzed the components of assertive behavior. Asscrtiveness problems were conceptualized in terms of a task analysis of the topography of competent responding. One hundred one subjects who spanned the range of assertivcncss, measured by McFall's Conflict Resolution Inventory, responded to three sets of situations requiring refusal of an unreasonable request. Content knowledge of an assertive response, delivery of the response under two conditions, heart rate, sclf-perccivcd tension, and the incidence of positive and negative self-statements were assessed. Differences on these variables between low-, moderate-, and high-assertive groups were analyzed to determine the nature of the response deficit in nonassertivc subjects. Low-assertive subjects differed from moderateand high-assertive subjects on a role-playing assessment requiring them to deliver an assertive response, but they did not differ from moderateand high-assertive subjects on their knowledge of a competent response or on hypothetical delivery situations. No significant differences in heart rate were observed between low-, moderateand high-assertive subjects; however, higher self-perceived tension was found in lowcompared to moderate and high-assertive subjects. A greater number of negative and fewer positive self-statements were reported by lowcompared to moderateand high-assertive subjects. The present behavior task analysis study is recommended as a clinical assessment study preliminary to investigations comparing behavior change interventions.