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Last One Head
The Rathus Assertiveness Schedule
How assertive are you? Do you stick up for your rights, or
do you allow other people to walk all over you? Do you say what
you feel or what you think other people want you to say?
Do you initiate relationships with attractive people, or do you
shy away from them?
One way to gain insight into how assertive you are is to
take the following self-report test of assertive behavior. Once
you have finished, click the Scoring Key button to find out how
to calculate and interpret your score.
Directions: Indicate how well each item describes you by
using this code:
3 very much like me
2 rather like me
1 slightly like me
1 slightly unlike me
2 rather unlike me
3 very much unlike me
1. Most people seem to be more aggressive and as-
sertive than I am.*
2. I have hesitated to make or accept dates because
of “shyness.”*
3. When the food served at a restaurant is not done
to my satisfaction, I complain about it to the
waiter or waitress.
4. I am careful to avoid hurting other people’s feel-
ings, even when I feel that I have been injured.*
5. If a salesperson has gone to considerable trouble
to show me merchandise that is not quite suit-
able, I have a difficult time saying “No.”*
6. When I am asked to do something, I insist upon
knowing why.
7. There are times when I look for a good, vigor-
ous argument.
8. I strive to get ahead as well as most people in my
position.
9. To be honest, people often take advantage of
me.*
10. I enjoy starting conversations with new acquain-
tances and strangers.
11. I often don’t know what to say to people I find
attractive.*
12. I will hesitate to make phone calls to business es-
tablishments and institutions.*
13. I would rather apply for a job or for admission to
a college by writing letters than by going
through with personal interviews.*
14. I find it embarrassing to return merchandise.*
15. If a close and respected relative were annoying
me, I would smother my feelings rather than ex-
press my annoyance.*
16. I have avoided asking questions for fear of
sounding stupid.*
17. During an argument, I am sometimes afraid that
I will get so upset that I will shake all over.*
18. If a famed and respected lecturer makes a com-
ment which I think is incorrect, I will have the
audience hear my point of view as well.
19. I avoid arguing over prices with clerks and sales-
people.*
20. When I have done something important or
worthwhile, I manage to let others know
about it.
21. I am open and frank about my feelings.
22. If someone has been spreading false and bad sto-
ries about me, I see him or her as soon as possi-
ble and “have a talk” about it.
23. I often have a hard time saying “No.”*
24. I tend to bottle up my emotions rather than
make a scene.*
25. I complain about poor service in a restaurant and
elsewhere.
26. When I am given a compliment, I sometimes
just don’t know what to say.*
27. If a couple near me in a theater or at a lecture
were conversing rather loudly, I would ask them
to be quiet or to take their conversation else-
where.
28. Anyone attempting to push ahead of me in a line
is in for a good battle.
29. I am quick to express an opinion.
30. There are times when I just can’t say anything.*
SOURCE: Reprinted from Rathus, 1973, pp. 398–406.
