Some interpersonal effects of assertion, nonassertion, and aggression

Females and males responded to a female confederate who behaved either nonassertively, assertively, or aggressively in role-played situations involving refusals and requests for behavior change. Responses to nonassertion were pleasant but did not allow the nonasserter to achieve immediate goals. Responses to aggression did allow the aggressor to achieve goals, but were unpleasant. Responses to assertion allowed for the achievement of immediate goals and were generally pleasant. However, responses to assertion did have more negative effects than expected. Refusals were easier to resist than behavior change requests. There were no consistent differences in the way females and males responded.