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Research on the perception of assertive behavior has suggested that although assertion may result in compliance with one's requests, assertion alone may be negatively evaluated. Recent research has suggested that an opportunity to observe models in commendatory situations may mitigate the negative impact of assertion. This study evaluated whether an opportunity to observe models in conversational situations could also mitigate the negative impact of assertion. Findings suggested that the addition of conversational comments to an individual's repertoire of social skills mitigated the negative perceptions of assertion alone. When compared with commendatory comments, conversational comments resulted in similar evaluations for females and more favorable evaluations for males. Also, the findings of the present study suggest a cumulative impact of exposure to assertion, implying possible artifactual results in some previous perception of assertiveness research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study examined the impact of assertion, empathic assertion, and conversational behavior on the perception of likability and sex-role orientation of the asserter. Findings suggested that empathic comments mitigated the negative impact of assertion. Perceptions of sex-role indicated that males viewed assertive models as either androgynous or masculine whereas females tended to classify assertive models as masculine. Both males and females rated empathic assertive models as either androgynous or masculine. Possible clinical implications of sex-role-consistent assertive behavior and explanations for lack of assertiveness are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]