ABSTRACT
Selective assertiveness implies the most desirable behavior for a given situation. The objectives of selective assertiveness are twofold. The first objective is to enlarge and enrich a person’s repertoire of behaviors, in other words the number of and types of behaviors. The second objective is to help a person to be assertive as often as possible. Nonassertiveness is behavior that avoids dealing directly with the situation to provide an appropriate solution. Nonassertiveness or nonassertion fits into two categories, situational nonassertiveness or general nonassertiveness. Men and women, accustomed to passive behavior, may be interested in acting in a more open manner. They may want to learn skills that give them choices in ways to act with others. Aggressive persons stand up for their rights in a way that violates the rights of others. After the aggressiveness, they usually experience guilt, embarrassment, and self-doubt. Assertiveness helps a person learn self-respect and to respect others.
