Assertiveness as a predictor of compliance and resistance in Taiwan, Japan, and the U. S.

The present study investigated the effects of assertiveness on compliance in Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. In contrast to what was expected, U. S. Americans overall were the least assertive. The study found that females in Japan and Taiwan were more assertive than their male counterparts. In addition, Americans were significantly more compliant with the request of a work supervisor than either Japanese or Taiwan-Chinese. In general, similar compliance was found between men and women. Participants offered more opposition to high imposition requests. While the discomfort factor of assertiveness accounted for significant variance for females in the equal status condition, situational factors such as imposition and status provided a better overall explanation for variance in behavior.