DIFFERENCES IN THE ASSERTIVENESS LEVEL OF FIRST YEAR PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS FROM A ROMANIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES

<doi>10.24250/jpe/1/2022/EMS/AADU</doi>

Abstract

Higher education represents a stage when undergraduates are required to communicate in an assertive manner. By being assertive, they are able to cope with stress in their relationships with teachers, colleagues and administrative staff. Teacher assertiveness represents a desirable interpersonal skill having positive influence on both students and teachers. The objective of the current study was to examine assertiveness levels in university students enrolled in the teacher training program (N = 284) who completed the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS). Urban respondents reported higher levels of assertiveness than rural respondents did. Male respondents reported higher levels of assertiveness than female participants in the study. Pre-service teachers from the Faculty of Agriculture reported the highest level of assertiveness and pre-service teachers from the Faculty of Food Engineering reported the lowest level. From the perspective of distribution on study programs, respondents from Horticulture reported the highest levels of assertiveness, while respondents from Animal Husbandry reported the lowest levels. Implications of the identified distribution patterns are also discussed, as well as their impact on academic curricula.