Differences in assertion and aggression between normal and neurotic family triads

Compared assertive and aggressive behavior of 12 normal and 12 neurotic family triads using the Interpersonal Behavior Schedule and a semi-automated behavioral role playing task. Normal families were chosen from files of nonpsychiatric patients of a general hospital; neurotic families were chosen from psychiatric files in the same hospital. Neurotic families manifested disturbed marital relationships, neurotic symptoms in at least one member (but no psychotic behavior or organically based symptoms), a constricted emotional climate, and/or underachievement problems in the male adolescent. Results indicated that normals were significantly more assertive than the neurotic family group. The neurotic group reported less aggressiveness than the normal families. It was demonstrated in the self report data that the neurotic group seemed to be suppressing or denying their aggressive impulses more than the normals. The influence of powerful demand characteristics and individual and family defenses on the subjects' behavior was also discussed.