Interpersonal Training, Assertiveness, and Social Anxiety

Indianapolis, IN

This study examines the relationship between interpersonal training, assertiveness, and social anxiety. Assertiveness training has been studied in a variety of settings and has been found to decrease social anxiety by increasing assertive behavior (Baker & Edelmann, 2002; Safran, Alden, & Davidson 1980; Tiegerman & Kassinove, 1977). The assertiveness training studied is part of an Interpersonal Relationships course that aims to help students be effective and assertive communicators in healthy relationships. I hypothesized that those completing the course will be more assertive and less socially anxious than those beginning. I also hypothesized that assertiveness and social anxiety would be negatively correlated. Students in four Interpersonal Relationships classes at a small Midwestern university self-reported their assertiveness using the College Self-Expression Scale (Galassi et al., 1974) and their social anxiety using the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (Mattick & Clarke, 1998). Data will be analyzed and results will be discussed. This study may have important implications for both the specific assertiveness training employed at this university and assertiveness training in general.