Course:

HLT41812 Certificate IV in Pathology

Unit:

HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health

Class handout

Assertive and Non-assertive styles of Communication

Characteristics

Assertive

Non-assertive

Aggressive

Attitude toward
self and others
Decision making

Im OK
Youre OK
Makes own decision

Im not OK
Youre not OK
Lets others choose for
him/her

Im, not Ok
Youre not Ok
Chooses for others

Behaviour problem
situations

Direct, fair confrontation

Flees, gives in

Outright, assaultive

Verbal behaviours

Clear, direct statement of wants;

objective words; honest
statement of feelings

Apologetic words;
hedging; rambling; failing
to say what is meant

Loaded words;
accusations; superior,
haughty words, labelling
of other person

Nonverbal
behaviours

Confident, congruent messages

Actions instead of words

(not saying what is felt);
incongruence between
words and behaviours

Air of superiority;
flippant, sarcastic style

Voice

Firm, warm, confident

Weak, distant, soft,

wavering

Tense, shrill, loud, cold,

demanding,
authoritarian, coldly
silent

Eyes

Warm, in contact, frank

Averted, downcast, teary,

pleading

Expressionless, cold,
narrowed, staring

Hands

Gestures at appropriate times

Fidget, clammy

Fists pounding or
clenched

Pattern of relating

Puts himself/herself up without

putting others down

Puts himself/herself down

Puts himself/herself up
by putting others down

Response of
others

Mutual respect

Disrespect, guilt, anger,

frustration

Hurt,
defensiveness,
humiliation

Consequences of
style

I win, you win; strives for winwin or no lose solution

I, lose, you lose; only

succeeds by luck or
charity of others

I win, you lose; beats

out others at any cost

[HLT41812] HLTHIR301C Info Sheet

V3 12 July 2013

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