Differences in self-reported assertiveness associated with sex, age, cultural or ethnic group, and ordinal position (birth order) were examined. 782 undergraduate students completed the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule and provided the demographic information mentioned above. Men reported being more assertive than women. Older students indicated they were more assertive than younger students. Mexican-American women reported acting less assertively than Mexican-American men and Anglo-American women and men. This assessment of trait assertiveness was positively correlated with ratings of behavioral dominance in discussion groups.
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