Sometimes, understanding why someone is behaving in a particular way is enough to ease your anger a little. Let’s talk a bit about passive, manipulative, assertive, and aggressive behaviors.

Aggressive Behavior

Definition

• Needs and wants are taken care of in a forceful and self-serving way.

Characteristics

• Self-serving
• Demanding
• Dogmatic
• Competitive
• Pushy
• Uses intimidation, power, and status
• Insensitive
• Strong need to control and dominate others
• Fears rejection
• Impatient
• Temperamental

Major Consequences

• May accomplish personal desire and goals.
• Tends to alienate people, create distrust and tension, and undermine the ability to establish lasting and healthy relationships.