QUESTIONNAIRE - Page 16

The method of filling in the questions and of scoring is explained in the first page of the Questionnaire, Activity.

C - MASTERY/SYMPATHY

Trait 2 - ASSERTIVENESS

Would you rebuke a friend if you disapproved of his/her behaviour?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you try to get your own way regardless of opposition?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
If someone went to the front of a queue out of turn, would you do something about it?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
If somebody smoking nearby was annoying you, would you ask them to stop?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you believe that it is necessary to fight for your rights?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you express your opinions with a belief that you have a right to be heard?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you make a point of complaining if you are sold shoddy goods?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you think your views are not necessarily important?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Are you intimidated by people in authority?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
As a child did you usually do as you were told?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
If somebody in a theatre was wearing a hat that obscured your view would you put up with the situation rather than ask them to remove it?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Do you usually make the decisions when you are with a group of people?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
If you have been given poor service in a hotel or restaurant do you prefer to let it pass rather than make a fuss?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Do you prefer to stay in the background rather than push yourself forward?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Do you agree with the philosophy of "every man for himself"?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you usually dissociate from strikes or political protests?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
If you are in a competition or contest is it important for you to win?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you always argue a point if you think you are right?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you hestitate to ask a stranger for a street direction?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Do you tend to be pushed around by other people?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Would you rather take orders than give them?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Do you always stand up for your rights?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you always obey "keep off the grass" signs?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Would you like to be interviewed on television?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you hestitate to take a front seat in a lecture room or theatre because you don't like to be conspicuous?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Are you good at bluffing your way out of difficult situations?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you find it difficult to get rid of a salesman who is persistent and wasting your time?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
Do you like to take the initiative at work if the situation demands it?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you think of humility as a virtue?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:
If you were sitting in a jury would you stick to what you felt was right even though all of the others disagreed strongly?

Yes* | Maybe | No || Score:
Do you hestitate to assist somebody when it is clear they are making a mistake or doing something wrongly?

Yes | Maybe | No* || Score:

ANALYSIS

Those with high scores have what is sometimes called a "strong personality": they are independent, dominant, and stand up for their rights, perhaps to the extent of being viewed as ":pushy":.

Those with low scores are humble, timid, submissive, disinclined to take any inititative into any interpersonal situation and may easily be imposed upon.

Assertiveness is often confused with aggressiveness, but really it is a matter of standing up for your rights and for what you feel is right, i.e. the assertion of ethics. As long as one is not rude, or inconsiderate of the rights of others, the ability to be assertive is an asset and is necessary to achieve worthwhile aims and impose some order and justice in one's environment.

How do you compare?

The norm on this trait is between 15-16 points (a statistical approximation). This may be represented on the following scale:

Assertiveness 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 || 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Submissiveness

Continue to the next Trait: AMBITION.

Return to Know Your Own Mind.