The functional asymmetry of negative and positive self-statements

Subjects were divided into high and low negative self-statement and high and low positive-self-statement groups on the basis of the assertiveness self-statement test (Schwartz & Gottman, 1976). High negative self-statement subjects reported more anxiety during assertion role plays than did low negative self-statement subjects and were rated by judges as exhibiting more non-verbal anxiety and performing less assertively than low negative self-statement subjects. Judges rated high positive self-statement subjects as more irritable and brusque than low positive self-statement subjects. Theoretical implications are discussed.