| Abstract: | Used a novel behavioral task, the assertiveness pull scale, and unobtrusive measures (e.g., number of questions asked of E) to assess the development of assertiveness of 154 boys and girls of 3 age groups (5-6, 7-9 and 10-12 yrs) in 4 populations. Urban middle-class Anglo-American children were significantly more assertive than semirural poor Anglo-American and Mexican-American children, who did not differ from each other but who were both significantly more assertive than rural poor Mexican children. Assertiveness increased with age for all groups, but at a slower rate among rural Mexican than among US children. No significant effects due to sex were observed. Results parallel population and age findings of previous studies of competitiveness. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
