Assertion Theory

Assertion theory proposes that everyone has fundamental human rights, and can avoid violating their integrity by compromising between each other's needs in a way that leaves everyone feeling that they have been "heard". There are many different types of behaviour: passive behaviour, assertive behaviour, aggressive behaviour, manipulative behaviour, and a mixture between them all. Assertiveness can be found in verbal and non-verbal communication, throughout society. Assertive behaviour consists of making sure that one's own needs are heard and respected, rather than disregarded. Examples can include confronting an employer or partner). Not every person is assertive, though assertion theory posits that assertiveness positively contributes to one's quality of life.

Assertion theory is a behavioral model for the promotion of personal rights without violating the rights of others. The theory is based on the premise that humans typically either allow their rights to become restricted (non-assertion), or intrude upon the rights of others (aggression). In order to maintain the rights of all parties, assertion theory stresses that individuals recognize specific emotional, verbal, and non-verbal cues in order to maintain equality for all individuals. Such behavior is potentially applicable in many facets of human life, including workplace situations.

Also known as passivity, submissiveness entails following someone else's desires and requests without regard for one's own needs. This is colloquially referred to as "putting someone else's needs before your own", and is most common in individuals with low self-esteem. A submissive person can typically agree to anything, even at significant personal inconvenience. For example, if a person wants to eat pizza, and another wants to eat eggs and bacon, a submissive person might just go with the other person's idea, while an assertive person would seek a compromise that would satisfy both (which could include following one person's idea one day, and the other person's idea next time they meet). This is also in correlation with the fight-or-flight response. An submissive person would typically choose the 'flight' response and avoid confrontation, whereas an assertive person would choose the 'fight' response, and assert their own needs. This response ties in with emotions as well. Different emotions can trigger these responses. Anger can either trigger the body to clench an object forcefully (fight), or it can trigger the body to walk away from the situated area (flight).

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