Relationship between contrived in vivo and role-play assertive behavior.

Used a 2 (High or Low Assertive) x 2 (Role-Play or Contrived In Vivo) design to investigate the external validity of role-play (N = 32). The Conflict Resolution Inventory was used as the selection device. Results indicated a positive relationship between self-report scores and role-play behavior. They also indicated that self-report scores were not predictive of behavior in the contrived in vivo condition; moreover, assertion was enhanced in the role-play condition, while the converse occurred in the contrived in vivo condition. The results indicate that generalizations to more naturalistic settings based upon role-play or self-report scores must be made with caution.