[PDF]assertivness_inventory

The Assertiveness Inventory

By Robert E. Alberti and Michael L. Emmons


The following questions will be helpful in assessing your assertiveness. Be honest in
your responses. All you have to do is draw a circle around the number that describes
you best. For some questions, the assertive end of the scale is at o, for others at 3.

Key: 0 means no or never; 1 means somewhat or sometimes; 2 means usually or a
good deal; and 3 means practically always or entirely.

1. When a person is highly unfair, do you call it to attention?

0123

2. Do you find it difficult to make decisions?

0123

3. Are you openly critical of others’ ideas, opinions, behavior?

0123

4. Do you speak out in protest when someone takes your place in line?

0123

5. Do you often avoid people or situations for fear of embarrassment?

0123

6. Do you usually have confidence in your own judgment?

0123

7. Do you insist that your spouse or roommate take on a fair share of
household chores?

0123

8. Are you prone to “fly off the handle”?

0123

9. When a salesperson makes an effort, do you find it hard to say “No”

even though the merchandise is not really what you want?

0123

10. When a latecomer is waited on before you are, do you call attention to the
situation?

0123

11. Are you reluctant to speak up in a discussion or debate?

0123

12. If a person has borrowed money (or a book, garment, thing of value) and
is overdue in returning it, do you mention it?

0123

13. Do you continue to pursue an argument after the other person has had enough?

0123

14. Do you generally express what you feel?

0123



15 - Are you disturbed if someone watches you at work?

0123

16. If someone keeps kicking or bumping your chair in a movie or a lecture,
do you ask the person to stop?

0123

17. Do you find it difficult to keep eye contact when talking to another person?

0123

18. In a good restaurant, when your meal is improperly prepared or served, do
you ask the waiter/waitress to correct the situation?

0123

19. When you discover merchandise is faulty, do you return it for an adjustment?

0123

20. Do you show your anger by name-calling or obscenities?

0123

21. Do you try to be a wallflower or a piece of the furniture in social situations?

0123

22. Do you insist that your property manager (mechanic, repairman, etc) make
repairs, adjustments or replacements which are his/her responsibility?

0123

23. Do you often step in and make decisions for others?

0123

24. Are you able to express love and affection openly?

0123

25. Are you able to ask your friends for small favors or help?

0123

26. Do you think you always have the right answer?

0123

27. When you differ with a person you respect, are you able to speak up for
your own viewpoint?

0123

28. Are you able to refuse unreasonable requests made by friends?

0123

29. Do you have difficulty complimenting or praising others?

0123

30. If you are disturbed by someone smoking near you, can you say so?

0123

31 Do you shout or use bullying tactics to get others to do as you wish?
0123

32. Do you finish other people’s sentences for them?

0123

33. Do you get into physical fights with others, especially with strangers?

0123

34. At family meals, do you control the conversation?

0123



35 - When you meet a stranger, are you the first to introduce yourself and
begin a conversation?

0123


Totally It All Up... What Does It Mean?

When you complete the Inventory, you’ll probably be tempted to add up your total
score. DON’T! It really has no meaning. There is no such thing as a general quality of
assertiveness. “What is assertive” must be answered in terms of the person and the
situation.

The Inventory is not a standardized psychological test; the studies required to
thoroughly evaluate and approve a test have not been conducted. Thus, a “total
score” approach is not appropriate.

Analyzing Your Results

“Your Perfect Right- A Guide to Assertive Living” suggests the following steps for
analysis of your responses to the Assertiveness Inventory:

• Look at individual events in your life, involving particular people or groups,
and consider your strengths and shortcomings accordingly.

• Look at your responses to questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9,10,11,12,14,15,16,17,18,
19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, and 35. These questions are oriented toward
nonassertive behavior. Do your answers to these items tell you that you are
rarely speaking up for yourself? Or are there perhaps some specific situations
which give you trouble?

• Look at your responses to questions 3, 8,13, 20, 23, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33, and 34.
These questions are oriented towards aggressive behavior. Do your answers
to these questions suggest you are pushing others around more than you
realized?


How to Get Assistance with Assertiveness at UNH

If you feel that you would like to improve some areas of your non-assertive behaviors
or change the existing aggressive behaviors that exist, contact a Wellness
Educator/Counselor at the Office of Health Education and Promotion, Health Services
at 862-3823 or visit http://www.unh.edu/health-services . All visits are covered by the
Health Services fee.


All text was adapted from “Your Perfect Right- A Guide to Assertive Living” by Robert E.
Alberti and Michael L. Emmons. The book is available in the Health Services Resource Library.