anxiety and depression) are likely to be viewed as comorbidity, as opposed to being included in an individualized case formulation which deals with the functional relationship between anxiety and depression. This can include expressing ones feelings effectively, making ones wishes known, making requests, saying no, and standing up for oneself. This means that you need to be flexible in the way you run the group or facilitate the individual session. Role-play and practice help with self-observation, while making submissive/unassertive) or excessive hostility (i.e. assert and preserve your . Others need more practice. Being assertive means being able to stand up for your own or other people's rights in a calm and positive way, without being either aggressive, or passively accepting 'wrong'. some participants, no preparation is needed before practicing the Assertiveness training has a decades-long history in mental health and Sechrest (2001) notes that one notable advance in the treatment of violent juvenile behavior is multi-systemic therapy. Cognitive and behavioral models of assertive behavior: Review, analysis and integration. The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence. Response Prevention and Restraint 6. Learning specific techniques and perspectives, such as self-observation This group is designed to help participants develop an assertive communication style, set healthy boundaries with others, and deal with criticism in healthy ways. STATE YOUR VIEWPOINT WITHOUT BEING HESITANT OR APOLOGETIC. Pe 2022 Psychology Tools. Thank you, This really helped. feels to be assertive. Assertiveness training is designed to help people protect their rights and get what they want from other people. Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo Low self-esteem is characterized as a negative sense of the self and co-occurs with many other mental health problems. First, despite the evidence for its effectiveness assertiveness training is likely to be less recognizable as an important stand-alone intervention, because it is part of a more comprehensive manualized treatment package. Second edition, revised. themselves, a brief course of individual therapy will help to prepare them Behavioral approaches propose that the deficit can be addressed with specific behavioral training (Heimberg & Becker, 1981) and that behaviors including eye-contact, posture, tone of voice, or specific verbal responses can be trained. DBT-informed skills training produced increased levels of primary 'assertive' anger, as compared with the treatment as usual, whereas no effect was found for 'rejecting' secondary anger. The tone is accusing and blaming. assertive training: a form of behavior modification or therapy in which a client is taught to feel free to make legitimate demands and refusals in situations that previously elicited diffident responses. behavior therapy in the United States, found the use of such open and honest self-expressiveness as nicely t-ting into this new approach to therapy (Wolpe, 1958). All rights reserved. Assertive people don't let others take advantage of them. The ultimate goal is for each For more information about what CBT is, what it is used to treat, and the methods we use, explore our site using the navigation menu at the top of this page, or visit our cognitive behavioral therapy exercisespages. Make a change today. 6. This can include expressing one's feelings effectively, making one's wishes known, making requests, saying "no," and standing up for oneself. Investigated the effectiveness of group assertive training with 16 male and 16 female college students who were nonassertive (as measured by the College Self-Expression Scale, Galassi et al, 1974). Gretna, LA: Wellness Institute. During these assertiveness group therapy activities, a sk your group to identify whether the response is assertive, passive, or aggressive. Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. The authors noted that after being given eight hours of assertiveness training, these children were less aggressive but were more assertive in the classroom. Speed, B. C., Goldstein, B. L., & Goldfried, M. R. (2017). Marvin R. Goldfried, Ph.D. is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Stony Brook University. well by others. The main components of assertive (or emotionally expressive) behaviors may be divided into four separate and specific response patterns: the ability to say "no"; the ability to ask for favors or to make requests; the ability to express positive and negative feelings; the ability to initiate, continue, and terminate general conversations. Aversion 7. In the past, assertiveness training has typically been split into two specialties (Speed et al., 2018): Behavioral skills training addresses the skills we lack, exposing us to the stressor to reduce anxiety. Assertive behavior was defined as any action that reflects an individuals own best interest, including standing up for oneself without significant anxiety, expressing ones feelings comfortably, or exercising ones own rights without denying the rights of others. Results showed that cognitive behavioral therapy stimulates the child to display social skills. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. Cognitive restructuring training targets the anxious thoughts that potentially lead to avoidance behavior. Assertiveness Training: A Forgotten EvidenceBased Treatment. that can be applied to many different personal, academic, health care, and tailored to the needs of specific participants and the situations they . This particular individual therapy treatment begins with assessing the situations in which assertiveness is lacking, by listing problematic interpersonal situations and analyzing the situations for interpersonal deficits. The anxiety may Reasons for Assertiveness Training Assertiveness training is a methodology that helps people to improve their assertive behaviour. Based on idea that people need to stand up for their own rights, they should be able to express their feelings and thoughts. personal growth groups, going back to the women's movement of the 1970s. It is easier said than done. Alberti, R., and M. Emmons. Often, assertiveness training is a component in CBT for Social Anxiety. work situations. Gay, M. L., Hollandsworth, J. G., & Galassi, J. P. (1975). Scene 2: A is aggressive. Please enjoy our free e-books, whether youre a student just starting out, or an established professional who can afford to donate a few dollars to keep this project going. A popular technique advocated by assertiveness experts is the Broken record technique. Call (888) 813-9613 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Assertiveness training promotes the use of "I" statements as a way to help themselves. An assertiveness inventory for adults. outcomes in many personal choices related to health, including being They do not look at behaviour disorders as . lists can be a helpful technique for exploring personal preferences for Her clinical and research interests include understandingin the role of dimensional, transdiagnostic factors, such as emotion dysregulation and personality, in the development and maintenance of clinical problems. The Confident Woman: Learn the Rules of the Game. people stand up for themselvesto empower themselves, in more social skills training Alternatively, ask . The psychoeducation portion of the worksheet defines assertive communication, and presents practical tips and examples. Preparation for assertiveness training varies from person to person. If you deal with the world aggressively, you might benefit from learning how to behave assertively rather than aggressively. Is assertiveness training beneficial for all psychological problems, or just the internalizing disorders? when using the techniques initially. Your email address will not be published. Notably, both of these third-wave CBT therapies have become extremely popular and well regarded, although the presence of assertiveness training within these manualized treatments has been overlooked. techniques; for others, however, individual counseling or therapy may help Importantly, a substantial body of early research supports the efficacy of assertiveness training in improving clinical symptoms, increasing self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and assertivenessboth broadly and within specific contexts.. It helps individuals learn to better communicate their needs and wants, especially those who tend to be passive when it comes to expressing these things. 2. A uses sarcasm, rhetorical questions, you-messages, and absolutes. A. Here's how: Start by considering which communication style (assertive, passive, or aggressive) comes closest to . Examples of assertive training sessions and interactions including role play should be given emphasized on for the conception of the reader of this article. Technique # 1. Privacy Policy, Need to find a book by a specific author? They argue that a behavioral model of assertiveness is based on four major assumptions: Examining a cognitive model of assertiveness, Heimberg and Becker (1981) propose that. Rather than questioning memory, help with the vald feelings that come out of difficult times , thank, donate a few dollars to keep this project going, How to Talk to an Obsessive-Compulsive Personality, Remembering, Repeating, and Working Through Childhood Trauma. For example, in Linehans use of dialectical behavior therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder, interpersonal effectiveness training focuses on situations where the objective is to change something (e.g., requesting that someone do something) or to resist changes someone else is trying to make (e.g., saying no). contemporary terms. The number of citations published per year, in 10-year increments, from 1967-present. There are a few precautions with assertiveness training. aggressive rather than assertive. Different types of assertive behavior are independent from one another and may need to be taught separately. People who struggle to be assertive might: Heimberg and Becker (1981) review both behavioral and cognitive models of assertive behavior. stress List of Cons of Assertive Behaviour. [How to reference and link to summary or text]Techniques. For those Systematic . This Cognitive and behavioral models of assertive behavior: Review, analysis and integration. Assertive communication is one of the key DBT skills in the sphere of interpersonal effectiveness. We can think of assertiveness as being along a continuum, whereby assertiveness problems can manifest as excessive agreeableness (i.e. Assertive Behavior Therapy (also known as Assertiveness Training, Assertion Training, or Social Skills Training) is a procedure which trains the client in socially appropriate behaviors for self-expression of feelings, attitudes, wishes, opinions, and rights. Given the limitations of treatment protocols designed to target heterogeneous diagnostic categories, the argument has been made that future research and treatment should focus on the clients individual characteristics that may contribute to their symptoms. Assertiveness. Each situation is analyzed to identify obstacles to success. realistic goal-setting, and Assertive behaviour is a fine line between aggression and the lack of it, optimism and pragmatism and it is also about emphasizing on your authority while allowing enough room for others to speak up and do their bit. Assertiveness training: A forgotten evidencebased treatment. risk, however, is no greater than that associated with any other life Although psychotherapy has been in existence for over a century, the field has struggled to build upon research findings with consistent, accumulating evidence. person is asked to practice assertive techniques in everyday life, outside What can the field of clinical psychology do to prevent past findings on psychotherapy from disappearing in the literature. What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy? Prompts are often used to help the training setting. 2016 DIVISION 12 OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION |, Opioid Guide for Practicing Psychologists, Advances in Psychotherapy Evidenced-Based Practice Book Series, Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology, Section for Clinical Emergencies and Crises, The Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers, Graduate Students and Early Career Psychologists. Since the publication of this version of the therapy blueprint we have also developed a more sophisticated version: Therapy Blueprint (Universal) Negative Practice 11. The often they will notice specific situations or patterns of behavior that Such overcompensation would most likely children, may also experience anxiety during the training as they work appropriate and healthy limits with others. Psychologists believe that assertiveness skillsthe ability to speak and act assertivelycan be taught and learned. For participants who caution would be to remain within assertive responses, rather than become Although a one-time core intervention, assertiveness training has experienced a dramatic decrease in the clinical and therapy research literature. Exercise. Click the button to the right to send us a message. A rating of 5 means that you cannot assert yourself at all in this situation. Changes or goals might require: A method of acting A method of emotions A method of thought process A method of dealing with physical or medical problems When you feel your rights have been taken away or that you've been dealt with unfairly, you can behave in one of the three ways: Aggressively = Fix your situation by overpowering others. skills, awareness of personal preferences and assuming personal Assertive behavior can help you develop a healthier, happier relationship with yourself and the people around you. (8 pp.). with a severe and persistent mental illness." 8th edition. illness like diabetes or cancer. Given its promise as a potential mediator/moderator of varying clinical symptoms, unassertiveness is clearly a variable warranting future research, including the investigation of how assertiveness difficulties in childhood and adolescence may indicate a vulnerability for the development of a variety of clinical symptomssuch as anxiety, depression, relational problems and self-efficacy. These approaches aid people in achieving specific changes or goals. Rating your assertiveness in different situations . SST may be used by teachers, therapists, or other professionals to help those with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and other diagnoses. 1. During the 1970s and 1980s, assertiveness training occupied a prominent role within clinical behavior therapy. aggressive and passive responses, in 1 A polite but assertive "no" to excessive requests from others will enable you to avoid overloading your schedule and promote balance in your life . All material provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Therefore, behaviourists see personality problems in the way that personality was developed. One additional precaution about assertiveness training is that it should Assertive people are in control of themselves and are honest with themselves . useful, and those in which it is irrelevant. Brittany Speed is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. candidate at Stony Brook University. Figure 1. This type of communication can greatly improve and strengthen relationships. Assertiveness training has a long history as a transdiagnostic psychological intervention. Dr. Goldfried is cofounder of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI), founder of AFFIRM: Psychologists Affirming Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Family (www.sunysb.edu/affirm), and founder of the Two-Way Bridge Between Research and Practice (www.stonybrook.edu/twowaybridge). This response is assertive. Note: This resource has been superseded by the Fear Ladder exercise. person learn assertive responses by acting on them. not be regarded as the equivalent of martial arts training or similar Cognitive behavioral therapy is the approach used in the study through assertive training techniques and homework assignment. Assertive training. Assertiveness training: A way to help the child learn to have his needs met without violating the rights or feelings of others. strategies for identifying and acting on their desires, needs, and There are times in everyone's life when we wish we had said or done . 1987 Aug;25(8):23-6. doi: 10.3928/0279-3695-19870801-13. Alternatively, 5. Assertive behaviors are those that enable an individual to act in their own best interests, to stand up for themselves without undue anxiety, to express honest feelings comfortably, or to exercises their own rights without denying the rights of others (paraphrased from Alberti & Emmons, 1974). You will be able to practice those tips in real-life situations with our fun assertive communication worksheets for kids. Add your email to be notified about new book releases and related psychotherapy information. Behavior Therapy, 5 (2), 165 . (8 pp.) Gain a sense of empowerment. Contracts 12. Brandon Goldstein is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. candidate at Stony Brook University. One potential assertiveness in different situations and see if you have become more assertive! Assertiveness is a skill regularly referred to in social and communication skills training. Reinforcement of assertive behavior is an essential part of its development and maintenance. Self-Control Techniques 8. It was at this point that the NIMH moved away from a psychosocial model that focused on specific psychological problems and adopted more of a medical model to treating psychological problems, construing psychological problems more as disorders. aggressive). about dinner to one's spouse. Synonym(s): assertive conditioning . hospitals, for programs as varied as substance abuse treatment, Another factor to consider is the style in which you, as a therapist, generally work. boss; setting limits to intrusive friends; or stating a clear preference It is important that you start to realize that this type of behaviour is aggressive rather than assertive. Through a blend of proven instructor-led seminars and powerful online technology, AMA Blended Learning provides a compelling and more comprehensive experience . Assertiveness training is designed to help people protect their rights and get what they want from other people. Assertiveness training is a type of behavior therapy focused on increasing assertive, self-assured behavior in individuals and teaching a more confident, effective communication style. Assertive community treatment provides a single, fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation and support needs for clients. BE HONEST AND DIRECT ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS, NEEDS, BELIEFS. There are six assertiveness skills we will work on, in two parts. training by being too aggressive. participant to self-monitor effectively his or her use of assertive allow for practice and repetition of the new techniques, helping each Assertive training J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. Aftercare can involve ongoing supportive therapy, again based on the as if the individual is overcompensating. Once these situations are mastered, increasingly difficult situations are targeted, until the client has effectively rehearsed and mastered all of the situations on his/her hierarchy. Role-plays often include examples of techniques on an ongoing basis. or teamwork groups, or as part of a program on sexual harassment. Identifying thoughts and attitudes that are self-defeating, and learning to adopt more helpful ways of thinking about things, can help to reduce anxiety and increase confidence. As seen in Figure 1, although there were several decades of a rich clinical and research literature on the therapeutic applications of assertiveness training starting in the 1960s, this began to change in the 1980s. Further, when the name of a clinical problem (e.g., unassertiveness) or an intervention (e.g. New York: Little, Brown, and Company, 1998. Even though, assertiveness training provides guidelines for assertive communication and behavior, assertiveness conduct is specific to a particular person in a particular time, in a particular situation, and in a particular cultural and context. process. Contingency Management 9. Eventually, each maladaptive cognitions such as self-statements; irrational beliefs and negative self-evaluations; expectations of unwanted results from assertive behavior; differences in information processing and cognitive flexibility between assertive and non-assertive individuals. Assertion training has shown to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, addictions, and personality disorders and improving self-confidence, self-esteem, personal satisfaction, interpersonal communication, and socialization (Lee et al. Assertiveness training and therapy can help you: Recognize that you're avoiding situations because of a fear of criticism; Overcome passivity because you're afraid of making other people mad; . 66, no. Very This SCP Blog post by Brittany Speed, Brandon Goldstein, and Dr. Marvin Goldfried discuss their recent publication in CP:SP addressing the role of assertiveness training in clinical psychology. BE HONEST WHEN GIVING OR RECEIVING FEEDBACK. ADVERTISEMENTS: The following points highlight the top twelve techniques of behaviour therapy. Before attending Stony Brook, she obtained her bachelors degree from the University of British Columbia in psychology. They are aware of what they want and ask for it in an open and direct manner. feel less anxious when asserting your needs or views. 2013; Peneva and Mavrodiev 2013 ). Participants may be asked to list anything from their ten favorite movies People who have difficulties with assertiveness often have problems in one of two ways: EXPRESS YOURSELF FIRMLY AND DIRECTLY TO SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS. They conclude: Early basic research suggests that assertiveness problems are common among externalizing disorders, such as depression and anxiety, as well as nonclinical problems such as self-esteem and relationship satisfaction, making assertiveness a construct that may play a central role in the maintenance of clinical problems. People who are very shy or self-conscious, or who were harshly treated as Difficult to Master. The behavioural approach to therapy assumes that behaviour that is associated with psychological problems develops through the same processes of learning that affects the development of other behaviours. Examining a cognitive model of assertiveness, Heimberg and Becker (1981) propose that non-assertiveness may be the result of: maladaptive cognitions such as self-statements; irrational beliefs and negative self-evaluations; expectations of unwanted results from assertive behavior; A healthy sense of self-determination and respect for others is the To ensure success and maximize comfort, the least difficult situations are targeted first. Assertive responses Assertiveness Training. Meditation and Yoga. From 2000 to the present, the same search yielded a total of only 181 articles, or roughly 11 publications per year. contexts or situations in which verbal assertiveness is appropriate and Often, assertiveness training is a component in CBT for Social Anxiety. Which is the most appropriate nursing reply? BE REASONABLE IN YOUR REQUESTS 4. Use of this website in no way constitutes professional service or advice. Wolpe conceptualized assertiveness training as a way of reducing anxiety. Assertiveness training: A forgotten evidencebased treatment. Assertiveness training has proven valuable for building and maintaining relationships across all life domains and improving psychological wellbeing, with positive impacts on the following (Speed, Goldstein, & Goldfried, 2018): Depression Anxiety Self-esteem Relationship satisfaction Serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) In addition, the co-occurrence of clinical problems (e.g. New York: HarperCollins, 1992. de Becker, Gavin. addition to the assertive responses, to help participants distinguish In this context, assertiveness is a promising target for further study, as it is clearly a dimensional construct that is relevant to a variety of psychological issues within healthy and disordered populations. Assertiveness training has a long history. settings as diverse as schools, corporate boardrooms, and psychiatric Overall, early basic research supports the notion that assertiveness is inversely correlated with both specific clinical problems, such as depression, anxiety, and comorbid diagnoses resulting in serious mental illness, as well as with clinically important transdiagnostic variables, such as self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction. Assertiveness offers many benefits. Assertiveness - An Introduction. participants learn new communication styles. Unusual results may include becoming too aggressive in setting boundaries, Social skills training (SST) is a type of behavioral therapy used to improve social skills in people with mental disorders or developmental disabilities. those who may not have a good sense of their own needs and desires. training have a better sense of boundaries, and are able to set Assertive training is a type of therapy that teaches people skills related to confidence. The classic book on assertiveness that began behavior therapy. To ask a question or schedule a consultation to determine whether CBT is right for you, click the button below. Atascadero, CA: Impact Publishers, Inc., 2001. A measure of assertiveness. visit, subjects that interest them, and so on. Assertive communication can strengthen your relationships by reducing stress from conflict and providing you with social support when facing difficult times. personnel sometimes offer assertiveness training as part of communication between these extremes as they learn a new set of behaviors. It is important to distinguish between Some participants in assertiveness In addition, committed, value-based actions are a core component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which involves the person identifying and participating in behaviors that are consistent with their goals and values, despite fears of failure or negative evaluation. person work better with others, and make appropriate decisions for Assertiveness Training: A Forgotten EvidenceBased Treatment. [How to reference and link to summary or text] This consists of simply repeating your . A commonly A rating of 0 means you can assert yourself with no problem. Speed, B. C., Goldstein, B. L., & Goldfried, M. R. (2018). The International Psychotherapy Institute offers several distance learning options so you can join us right from your own computer/phone. The approach was introduced to encourage women to stand up for themselves With appropriate feedback, participants It helps you keep people from taking advantage of you. Shaping 4. New York: Harmony Books, 1999. find it difficult to stand up for their rights or put across their point of view; behave passively and comply with the wishes of others; respond aggressively and fail to consider the views of others. When I Say No, I Feel Guilty. This decrease is particularly noteworthy, as it occurred while growth rates in publication across scientific fields has increased at an estimated rate of 8-9% over the years. The next stage in assertive Being assertive means speaking up for one's rights without disrespecting anyone else's. It involves managing stress, solving problems as they arise, and staying calm no matter how the other. The skills taught are intended to maximize the chances that a persons goals in a specific situation will be met, while at the same time not damaging either the relationship or the persons self-respect. Assertive individuals are able to get . Speaking with confidence can be thought of as a first step toward becoming more assertive at work. This form of training is tailored to the needs of specific participants and the situations they find particularly challenging. There is no one-fits-all solution. relationships within one's life. They are one of the most powerful techniques available to Behavioral experiments allow individuals to test the validity of their beliefs and assumptions. So that whatever or whoever comes your way you can handle it in way that you feel proud of. The solution to the problem of aggression is the same as the solution to the problem of passivity: assertive behavior. Assertiveness training is a form of behavior therapy designed to help individuals express their feelings and reactions to others. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology The client asks for suggestions for how to become more assertive and less aggressive. They respect themselves and other people and take responsibility for their actions and decisions. training is usually role-plays designed to help participants practice The most common subjects of skills training are social skills training, assertiveness training, and communication training. Special Feature. All rights reserved, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-communication/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/avoidance-hierarchy/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment-portrait-format/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/boundaries-self-monitoring-record/, Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Low Self-Esteem (Fennell, 1997), https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-low-self-esteem-fennell-1997/, Fair Fighting Rules For Resolving Conflict, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fair-fighting-rules-for-resolving-conflict/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fear-ladder/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/self-critical-thought-challenging-record/, Self-Criticism Self-Monitoring Record (Edition 1), https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/self-criticism-self-monitoring-record-edition-1/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint/, https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/unhelpful-thinking-styles/. Butler, Pamela E., Ph.D. often contrasted with "you" statements, which are usually not received Most importantly, we showed that changes in assertive anger mediated the reported symptom reduction, in particular in patient's social roles. An enhanced sense of well-being and more positive self-esteem are typical Finally, most people have deficits when it comes to how to be effectively assertive. Assertiveness Training #2 - Speaking with Confidence. network or occasional participation in a support group will be enough to or pieces of music to their favorite foods, places they would like to training programs who are just learning the techniques of appropriate The nervousness or anxiety is usually This communication and assertiveness video can teach you the skills that are essential to develop and keep close and intimate relationships, and your busines. Overview And assertive people get more right than wrong. 2. assertiveness training is to maximize the number of context in which an individual is able to communicate assertively. Overview. A way that is empowering without needing to bowl people over or offend them. assertive in risky sexual situations; abstaining from using drugs or Assertive behavior is situation-specific. Assertiveness training is a broad approach , vocational programs, and responding to harassment. individual's level of comfort in using the assertive techniques. In a way, assertiveness training, which uses a variety of cognitive-behavioral techniques, can be conceptualized as a component of social skills training, which broadly aims to help individuals reduce any anxiety-based inhibitions and learn specific skills to develop more competent social functioning. physical self-defense techniques. Personal individual participants, such as difficulty speaking up to an overbearing Presented by International Psychotherapy Institute. LEARN TO SAY "NO" TO UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS. moved into graduate education and the workplace in greater numbers. By Guntaas, Sreya and Saara Introduction Assertiveness Training is a form of Behaviour Therapy designed to help people stand up for themselves -to empower themselves in more contemporary terms . Non-Assertiveness A non-assertive person is one who is often taken advantage of, feels helpless, takes on everyone's problems, says yes to inappropriate demands and thoughtless requests, and allow others to choose for him or her. The purpose of assertiveness training is to teach persons appropriate strategies for identifying and acting on their desires, needs, and opinions while remaining respectful of others. Consistent with this view, the NIMH Research Domain Criteria initiative (RDoC) has transitioned funding priorities away from research based on DSM diagnoses towards more basic psychological constructs. taught to hide their real feelings and preferences, and to try to get they want to focus on during the course. Direct consultation of a qualified provider should be sought for any specific questions or problems.