Race as an interpersonal variable in negative assertion

Investigated assertive behavior among black male psychiatric patients under white vs. black interpersonal partner conditions. Twenty-four high and 24 low scorers in level of measured general assertiveness served as Ss (N = 48). Responses to familiar and unfamiliar interpersonal stimuli in two conditions, role-play, and in vivo, were videotaped and rated. Dependent variables in the role play condition were: (1) Request for new behavior; (2) compliance; (3) affect; and (4) overall assertiveness; and (1) expression of negative opinion; (2) compliance; and (3) overall assertiveness for the in vivo condition. Although MANOVA revealed no main effect for race, Ss in the unfamiliar condition were more assertive (p less than .05) than those in the familiar role play condition. Also, Ss' responses in role play were more assertive (p less than .05) in the unfamiliar-white prompter condition as compared to Ss' responses in the unfamiliar-black prompter condition. In the in vivo situation for overall assertiveness, responses were rated as more assertive in the white prompter condition. In addition, although Ss were more likely to express negative opinions in the black prompter condition, they were more likely to comply with an unreasonable request in the white prompter condition.