Aggressiveness and Assertive Behaviour

Abstract

Assertiveness can be described as a phenomenon that involves assertive expression of ideas, feelings and boundaries while respecting the rights of others, while maintaining a positive impact on the partner. Assertiveness is an important component of professionalism in professions that are related to work with people. The opposite of assertiveness is aggressive behaviour. The purpose of this study is to establish the ratio of assertiveness and aggressive behaviour of respondents of different behavioural groups and to explore its relation to the age factor. The participants of this study were studentteachers from the regional university of Latvia. The entire sample was divided into two groups based on age. The first group included participants under 30 years old. The second group was comprised of participants in the age group older than 30. Based on the results gained in the assertiveness test, the subgroups of so-called passive, assertive and aggressive respondents were singled out. The second test determined the structure and the level of aggressiveness of respondents in each of the selected groups. The results indicate that aggressive behavior is inherent in representatives from each group. The difference lies in the ratio of assertiveness and aggression, as well as in the degree of influence of self-aggression in the overall structure of aggressiveness of an individual.