We can find the origins of the term “assertiveness” in the Latin asserere or assertum, which means “to affirm” or “to defend” (Robredo, 1995, cited in Gaeta Gonzáles and Galvanovskis Kasparane, 2009). It is based on this root that the definition of the word involves the affirmation of personality, self-confidence, self-esteem and effective and secure communication (Rodríguez and Serralde, 1991, cited in Gaeta Gonzáles and Galvanovskis Kasparane, 2009).
Wolpe explains that an assertion “is any socially acceptable expression of personal rights and feelings, which includes rejections, claims, expressions of reward and affection, and exclamations of personal feelings such as satisfaction, enjoyment, and anger” (1983, p. 133, cited in Velásquez et al. 2008). Lange (1980/1983, p.310, cited in Velásquez et al. 2008) further adds that it is: “the communication of personal opinions, beliefs, feelings and desires in a direct, honest and appropriate manner.” That is to say, it is an intermediate point between aggressive and passive attitudes towards others, which involves both verbal behavior (vocabulary, fluency, tone) and non-verbal behavior (posture, facial expression).
The social skills necessary to be assertive can be acquired through learning (imitation, information, observation) and the social reinforcements received by the person increase. Nowadays this concept has become very popular and is an important objective when working on coping in therapy (Montgomery, 1999 cited in Velázquez and Cols., 2008).
Flores (1994, cited in Gaeta Gonzáles and Galvanovskis Kasparane, 2009) says that Assertiveness is a verbal skill through which a person is able to express positive or negative beliefs, opinions, desires and needs. At the same time, it also allows the individual to establish limits in an honest, direct and timely manner, maintaining self-respect and during a social interaction, whether with a stranger, with a loved one or with a person with whom there is an educational relationship. -labor. This last part of the concept considers the importance of the context in which the person finds themselves.
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