Nonassertion
Nonassertion is failing to stand up for oneself, or standing up for oneself in such an ineffectual manner that one's rights are easily violated.
Assertion
Assertion is standing up for oneself in such a way that one does not violate the basic rights of another person. It's a direct, honest, and appropriate expression of one's feelings and opinions.
Aggression
Aggresssion is standing up for oneself in such a manner that the rights of the other person are
violated in the process. It's an attempt to humiliate or put down the other person.
| NON-ASSERTIVE | ASSERTIVE | AGGRESSIVE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics of the communication: | Emotionally dishonest, indirect, self-denying, inhibited |
Appropriately emotionally honest, direct, self-enhancing, expressive | Inappropriately emotionally honest, direct, self-enhancing at expense of another; expressive |
| Your feeling when you engage in this communication: | Hurt, anxious at the time and possibly angry later | Confident, selfrespecting at the time and later | Righteous, superior, depreciatory at the time and possibly guilty later |
| Other person's feelings about her/himself when you engage in this communication: | Irritated, pity, disgusted | Generally respect | Angry, vengeful |