Document Detail


Assertiveness expectancies: how hard people push depends on the consequences they predict.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19025301     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The present article seeks to explain varying levels of assertiveness in interpersonal conflict and negotiations with assertiveness expectancies, idiosyncratic predictions people make about the social and instrumental consequences of assertive behavior. This account complements motivation-based models of assertiveness and competitiveness, suggesting that individuals may possess the same social values (e.g., concern for relationships) but show dramatically different assertiveness due to different assumptions about behavioral consequences. Results clarify the form of assertiveness expectancies, namely that most people assume increasing assertiveness can yield positive social and instrumental benefits up to a point, beyond which benefits decline. However, people vary in how assertive this perceived optimal point is. These individual differences in expectancies are linked in 4 studies to assertiveness, including self-reported assertiveness, rated behavioral preferences in assorted interpersonal conflict scenarios, partner ratings of participants' behavior in a face-to-face dyadic negotiation, and work colleague ratings of participants' assertiveness in the workplace. In each case, the link between expectancies and behavior remained after controlling for values. The results suggest a place for expectancies alongside values in psychological models of interpersonal assertiveness.
Authors:
Daniel R Ames
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of personality and social psychology     Volume:  95     ISSN:  0022-3514     ISO Abbreviation:  J Pers Soc Psychol     Publication Date:  2008 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-11-25     Completed Date:  2009-01-28     Revised Date:  2009-11-11    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0014171     Medline TA:  J Pers Soc Psychol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1541-57     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. da358@columbia.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Assertiveness*
Competitive Behavior
Conflict (Psychology)
Female
Forecasting
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Male
Social Behavior*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Working memory capacity and the self-regulation of emotional expression and experience.
Next Document:  Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on patients with functional dyspepsia