Assertiveness
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Mason Resources
Self-Development Workshops
provide skills for individuals to improve the quality of their lives and
their relationships through personal assessment, education, practical guidelines,
and referral resources. Topics include assertiveness in one's academic
and personal life; effective interpersonal communication; regulating stress;
and anger management. Individual workshops are held regularly and can be
accessed at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/csdc/sdwksp.htm.
The Self-Help Resource Library provides a collection of audio and video tapes, CD ROMs, books, and handouts on growth and academic skills available for use in the Resource Library by students of George Mason University during business hours. Programs in the Self-Help Resource Library are organized by categories including assertiveness (http://www.gmu.edu/departments/csdc/assertiv.htm), decision-making, and problem-solving resources which are listed online at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/csdc/media.htm. <back to top>
Stand Up for Yourself--Be Assertive! is an article that discusses confrontation and situations in which individuals must stand up for themselves. Read more on assertiveness at http://www.counseling.umd.edu/Selfhelp/sh_asser.htm. <back to top>
Appropriate Assertiveness is when a person is able to state the case without raising the defenses of another person. The secret of success lies in referring to one’s own experience rather than suggesting what another person should or shouldn't do. For more insight on using such strategies see http://www.crnhq.org/freeskill4.html.
Are You Assertive? is an assertiveness test that helps individuals explore whether they are getting what they want in life. Check ability to effectively voice complaints without alienating the audience? This test is designed to effectively measure your level of proper assertiveness. Six categories help discover assertive strengths and weaknesses taking one to the next level of effective communication to promote equality in your relationships. Test yourself at http://www.testcafe.com/sert/.
Assertiveness - Analysis and Development is an article exploring assertiveness as expressing personal rights, standing up for oneself and personal values and beliefs, and to being able to express true feelings openly. In communication and social relationships assertiveness involves openness, honesty, and firmness, all with appropriateness and flexibility. To find out how to be a more assertive communicator visit http://www.coun.uvic.ca/personal/assert.html.
Assertiveness - Getting What You Want, In a Fair Way... helps one learn to be assertive in expressing needs in a way that other people will respect. Look at these suggestions: http://www.mindtools.com/stress/pp/Assertiveness.htm.
Assertiveness Skills for Women offers suggestions to women on how to become more comfortable stating their opinion. Asserting oneself is not easy and one reason is that some people see assertiveness as a negative behavior, confusing assertiveness with aggressiveness. Assertiveness is especially difficult for women as many are taught to be agreeable, polite, and to appease others. Read this article online at http://www.seekingsuccess.com/articles/art106.php3.
Basic Strategies for Behaving More Assertively offers the individual suggestions for expressing feelings and opinions to others and learning to stand up for oneself! Assertiveness can help individuals express themselves in a manner that neither sells themselves short nor threatens others. Apply assertiveness strategies in learning how to stand up for personal rights, making and refusing requests, giving and receiving compliments and expressing anger constructively. These strategies are available online at http://caps.unc.edu/Assert.html.
Better Health Channel discusses the misconception of assertiveness as aggression and thinking that to assert oneself is to stand one's ground and argue a point without compromise. However, being assertive means communicating one’s needs, wants, feelings, beliefs and opinions to others in a direct and honest manner, without intentionally hurting anyone's feelings. Direct communication can reduce conflict, build your self-confidence, and enhance your personal and work relationships. Learn more about the advantages of assertive behavior and other skills of assertiveness online at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Assertiveness?open.
CampusBlues.com is designed to facilitate student awareness, the use of school resources, and is dedicated to supporting the mental health and well being of individuals as they move through their personal transitions. To choose from a collection of articles targeted to assist students hoping to increase personal assertiveness visit http://www.campusblues.com/studentoflife_4.asp.
Chemistry Coach is a website housing a collection of links to topics such as assertiveness, problem-solving, concentration, memory, and stress, all facilitating better education skills. http://www.chemistrycoach.com/lbe6.htm#Assertiveness.
How to Help Build, Boost, and Develop Self-confidence and Assertiveness explains the ease of building self-confidence and assertiveness. When most people talk about wanting to be more assertive, what they usually mean is how to become better able to resist the pressure of excessively dominant people and how to exert a little more control in important situations. Read more at http://www.businessballs.com/self-confidence-assertiveness.htm.
HumanityQuest.com is a portal for the exploration of human spirits, values, attitudes, principles and emotions. Humanity Quest thematically explores a growing list of over 500 human values using in-person and online study groups, discussions groups, creative arts activities, resource links, and computer technology. Their Assertiveness Resources Website contains quotes, stories, definitions, etymology, discussions, cartoons, art, and other assertiveness resources at http://humanityquest.com/topic/Index.asp?theme1=assertiveness.
Improving Assertiveness is a fact sheet stating that a lack of assertiveness can affect relationships and quality of life as one fails to communicate effectively and end up not getting what is wanted. Family life, career prospects, and stress levels can all be affected by lack of assertiveness. By looking carefully at how communicates with others, there are a number of ways in which individuals can begin to assert themselves in helping to improve the quality of life. Visit http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/improving_assertiveness.html for these options.
Understanding Assertive Versus Passive and Aggressive Behavior is a resource of Counseling Services at Michigan Technological University. Assertiveness training involves learning the basic social skills that deal with clearly expressing yourself to others, persisting with your goals in the face of opposition and appropriately standing up for oneself in the midst of conflict or criticism. Visit http://www.counseling.mtu.edu/Assertiveness.htm for more information and additional resources.
Understanding Assertiveness is a handout that addresses assertiveness and provides information about its characteristics and how it differs from other methods of dealing with people. Most people confuse assertiveness with aggression. However, true assertiveness considers the rights and needs of all people and assumes equality. Because of this, assertiveness can be thought of as a method of increasing choices for everyone. Explore these options at the Mental Health Sanctuary at http://www.mhsanctuary.com/articles/assert.htm.
Virtual Pamphlet Collection on Assertiveness is a program of the University of Chicago’s Student Counseling and Resource Center. The virtual pamphlets are organized by topic and can be viewed by clicking specific titles to view the pamphlets. Other virtual pamphlets in the collection that are published by another university may reference campus specific services but continue to serve as a viable resource on assertiveness and are available online at http://counseling.uchicago.edu/resources/virtualpamphlets/assertiveness.shtml. <back to top>