Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
Assertiveness, a specific social skill is traced back to its roots in
Salter's 1949 Pavlovian model. The impression is gained that the growing
interest in assertiveness may be a reaction to the post-Sputnik era of
increasing violence and acts of terrorism. In South Africa
assertiveness training has particular relevance, as a state of emergency
was -declared by the State President in the middle of 1985. It is
fitting that assertiveness training be done with black adolescents as in
the African communities there is concern about the estrangement of
parents and their children which has contributed to the school unrest
that has had such wide repercussions.
An empirical study of 32 matched pairs of black South African pupils in
their 11th year of schooling was undertaken in 1985 following a pilot
study in 1984. The experimental groups were given assertiveness
training while the control groups were engaged in other activities. The
hypotheses examined were that if aggressive and submissive South African
black adolescents were exposed to assertiveness training their levels of
aggression and submission would be reduced, assertiveness would be
increased, anxiety would be reduced and self-esteem enhanced. Evidence
is adduced to indicate partial support for the hypotheses and this is
discussed.