Assertivitets

Assertivitets, commonly rendered in English as assertiveness, denotes a communication style and behavior pattern in which a person expresses needs, rights, opinions, and boundaries clearly and respectfully. It stands between passive communication, which defers to others, and aggressive communication, which violates others’ rights. The aim is to advocate for one’s own interests while also considering others.

Core elements include clear, direct expression of feelings and requests, the use of I statements to own the message, specific and concrete language, appropriate tone and posture, and skills for listening and boundary management. Practices associated with assertivitets include training techniques such as the broken-record method, I-statements, and fogging, as well as role-playing and feedback. These are often taught in assertiveness training programs and have been incorporated into broader cognitive-behavioral approaches to improve interpersonal effectiveness and self-esteem.

Contexts and evidence: assertiveness is commonly taught for workplace communication, personal relationships, and therapy. Research indicates that assertiveness training can improve self-esteem, reduce social anxiety, and enhance perceived control and satisfaction in interactions, though effects vary across individuals and cultural settings.

Cultural considerations emphasize that what counts as appropriately assertive can differ, with some cultures valuing indirect or harmonizing approaches. Limitations include potential misinterpretation or perceived hostility in certain situations, and the need to balance rights with responsibilities and power dynamics.

See also: assertiveness training, communication skills, personal boundaries, social functioning.