International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

Verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness are distinct but closely related concepts that apply to conflictual interpersonal interaction (→  Argumentative Discourse ; Conflict Resolution ; Interpersonal Communication ; Interpersonal Conflict ). Verbal aggressiveness is the inclination to attack the other person's feelings or identity. Argumentativeness is the motivation to attack the other person's position, arguments, or statements. Both are types of aggressive communication, which can be subdivided into two categories: constructive and destructive. Constructive aggressive communication can be assertive or argumentative. Destructive aggressive communication also has two subdivisions: hostility and verbal aggressiveness. Assertiveness and hostility have received little research attention. Verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness are often assessed together in empirical investigations. Males generally score higher than females on both measures, and cultural differences have been explored (though without a simple generalized conclusion to this point). Dominic Infante is the originator of the current work on these two topics. Both verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness are personality predispositions, although most researchers prefer to call them communication traits ( Rancer & Avtgis 2006 ). While most research treats them as enduring inclinations, they have from the ... log in or subscribe to read full text