Assertiveness, the third aspect of Extraversion in the Big Five model, relates to how a person expresses their opinions, takes charge of social situations, and acts in social contexts. This aspect highlights the level of confidence, strength of character, and dominance in interactions with others.
Highly assertive individuals express their own opinions strongly and confidently. They tend to take initiative, dominate, and control social situations. These individuals can be influential and captivating, and their communication style is often associated with leadership. Assertiveness can be an asset when the person is well-informed, competent, and capable, but it can become problematic if misused, as it may be perceived as authoritarian or aggressive.
People with lower assertiveness scores tend to adopt a more reserved behavior. They sometimes prefer to step back, listen more to others, and let others make decisions. They may be less inclined to dominate social interactions and act impulsively.
Consider two coworkers. One of them, with a high Assertiveness score, is known for making quick decisions, firmly expressing their opinions in meetings, and taking on a leadership role within the team. They are often perceived as dynamic and decisive. The other coworker, with a lower Assertiveness score, prefers to listen to others' ideas, avoids taking initiative, and only speaks up when necessary. They are less inclined to lead social interactions and may be seen as more passive in decision-making. The two coworkers have different communication and leadership styles based on their level of Assertiveness within Extraversion.
Liberals tend to be slightly less assertive than conservatives. Women are slightly less assertive than men. The average percentile for women in the general population (women and men) is 48. For men, it is 52.