Assertive communication refers to the skill of expressing one's opinions and emotions honestly and sincerely while respecting both oneself and the other person. The concept was systematized by Alberti and Emmons (1970), who proposed it as "a middle ground between aggression and passivity in self-expression." Smith (1975) subsequently organized the rights involved — the right to state one's opinion, the right to say no, and the right to express one's feelings — and popularized assertion training.

In empirical research, a number of scales have been developed to measure assertive behavior. One of the most representative is the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS), a scale measuring assertiveness tendencies. Research has extracted between six and nine factors from this instrument, demonstrating a multidimensional structure that includes directness, interpersonal anxiety, the expression of refusal, and conflict orientation. The Scale for Interpersonal Behavior (SIB) measures two dimensions — behavioral frequency and discomfort — and has been found to consist of four factors: positive assertion, negative assertion, initiative assertion, and the expression of personal limits. These studies have clarified that assertive behavior is not a single skill but a complex structure comprising multiple psychological elements.

Existing scales, however, have been designed primarily for clinical and research purposes, and can be difficult for general users to apply to everyday self-understanding. This assessment was therefore developed as a general-use scale grounded in psychological theory while remaining practically applicable in everyday life and workplace settings. By incorporating elements such as self-expression, respect for others, emotional expression, and responses to conflict, the assessment is designed to help anyone reflect on their own communication tendencies and build healthier, more equal relationships.

Following the review of the above research, certified psychologists, clinical psychologists, and graduates of psychology master's programs reviewed and refined the question items. Eight factors were established, with four questions assigned to each, resulting in a 32-item scale.

* Eight Factors
① Self-Respect
② Respect for Others
③ Low Aggressiveness
④ Low Passiveness
⑤ Factual Description Skills
⑥ I-Message Skills
⑦ Collaborative Proposal Skills
⑧ Boundary-Setting Skills

Assertive Communication Skills Assessment — Question Items (32 questions total)

① Self-Respect
1. I believe my thoughts and opinions have value.
2. I treat my own feelings as important.
3. Even after a failure, I am able to encourage myself.
4. I value my own individuality rather than comparing myself to others.

② Respect for Others
5. I try to understand the other person's perspective.
6. I am mindful of the other person's feelings when I speak.
7. Even when opinions differ, I am able to respect the other person.
8. I try to find something positive in the other person.

③ Low Aggressiveness
9. Even when problems are piling up, I maintain a calm and measured tone.
10. Even when I am angry, I am careful about the words I choose.
11. When I disagree with someone, I respond calmly.
12. I am conscious of maintaining an approachable manner.

④ Low Passiveness
13. I express what I want to say without holding back unnecessarily.
14. When I want to decline something, I communicate it clearly.
15. I am able to say no to things I am not comfortable with.
16. I am able to express my opinions without being overly concerned about how I will be evaluated.

⑤ Factual Description Skills
17. I am able to state the facts before expressing my emotions.
18. I am able to describe a situation without mixing in my own subjective interpretation.
19. I am able to calmly organize what has happened.
20. I am able to state the facts in a way that avoids misunderstanding.

⑥ I-Message Skills
21. I am familiar with the concept of expressing myself using "I" as the subject.
22. I am able to express myself by saying "I felt..."
23. When expressing dissatisfaction, I use "I" rather than "you" as my starting point.
24. When I feel sad, I am able to communicate that feeling honestly.

⑦ Collaborative Proposal Skills
25. I am able to propose solutions that both parties can accept.
26. I incorporate the other person's perspective when making proposals.
27. Even in moments of conflict, I actively engage in finding solutions through dialogue.
28. When making a proposal, I make sure to communicate how it benefits the other person as well.

⑧ Boundary-Setting Skills
29. I am able to decline unreasonable requests.
30. I keep the problems I take on from others within what I am able to handle.
31. I communicate in advance what I am and am not able to do.
32. When I have reached my limit, I am able to say so honestly.

【Response Format】
Each question is answered using the following 5-point scale.

Strongly Disagree　0
Disagree　1
Neutral　2
Agree　3
Strongly Agree　4

【Scoring per Factor】
Each factor consists of 4 questions.
The total score per factor ranges from 0 to 16.

High　13 to 16
Moderate　9 to 12
Low　0 to 8

【Overall Score (Reference)】
The total score across all 32 questions ranges from 0 to 128.

102 to 128　Assertiveness — Excellent
77 to 101　Assertiveness — Good
52 to 76　Assertiveness — Fair
0 to 51　Assertiveness — Poor

These criteria allow you to understand both the tendencies within each individual factor and the overall balance of your communication style.

For each dimension, we provided an evaluation of approximately 1,000 characters covering key characteristics and points to be aware of. The content was developed based on prior research and the clinical experience of the authors.

This assessment has not been subjected to factor analysis or checks for reliability and validity. It reflects the professional judgment of specialists, but please note that it lacks sufficient statistical grounding and is not intended for use in academic research.

Alberti, R. E., & Emmons, M. L. (1970). Your Perfect Right. Impact Publishers.
Smith, M. J. (1975). When I Say No, I Feel Guilty. Dial Press.
Rathus, S. A. (1973). Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. Behavior Therapy, 4(3), 398–406.
Arrindell, W. A., et al. (1984). The Scale for Interpersonal Behavior (SIB): Construction, reliability and validity. Personality and Individual Differences, 5(3), 293–305.