Robert Alberti - Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life and Relationships

The assertiveness bible; helps the non-assertive speak up and the aggressive, tone down.

USA Today

Without a peer in the fieldtruly a classic.

AaronBeck, MD , psychiatrist and author of LoveisNeverEnough

Not only is it the best book on assertiveness, it sets the standard for self-help books in general.

GaryEmery, PhD , psychologist and author of OvercomingDepression

YourPerfectRight is the gold standardfor self-help.

AllenFay, MD , psychiatrist and coauthor of ICanIfIWantTo

There are many practical guides to assertive living, but this is without question, the best.

CyrilM. Franks, PhD , psychologist and editor of ChildandFamilyBehaviorTherapy

Filled with a wealth of examples on how to cope with everyday situationscounters feelings of futility.

Los Angeles Times

Five-star Highly Recommended rating in the national survey Some mental health professionals call (it) the assertiveness bible, they think so highly of itthis is an excellent self-help book.

The Authoritative Guide to Self-Help Books

The bible of assertive training.

Journal of Counseling & Development

An interesting, readable, and practical manual.

Contemporary Psychology

Long regarded as the A-T bible.

Human Behavior

I am pleased and honored to write an endorsement for the tenth edition of YourPerfectRight . This was the groundbreaking book in the 1970s that first addressed how people can develop skills to improve relationships, problem solving, conflict resolution, and more effective communication and coping. YourPerfectRight is the best book written about this topic. The writing is articulate, the strategies practical, and the tone is hopeful and compassionate. I teach psychology, and have recommended this book (and all of its new editions) to thirty years of graduate students. I always receive rave reviews. I recommend it very highly!

John Preston, PsyD, ABPP , professor emeritus at Alliant International Universitys California School of Professional Psychology

YourPerfectRight is truly a modern classic. In defining assertiveness within the guidelines of equality and non-aggressiveness, it serves as a manual for professional therapists and as a self-help guide for the public, and it has been a resource for a multitude of readers for almost a half century.

Jerrold Lee Shapiro, PhD , professor at Santa Clara University, licensed clinical psychologist, and author of PragmaticExistentialCounselingandPsychotherapy , WhenShes Pregnant , and FindingMeaning, Facing Fears

Alberti and Emmons have taken their classic contribution to the understanding of assertiveness and made it even better. This edition is chock-full of clear examples that allow the reader to understand exactly what assertiveness is, and how it can be developed and enhanced in community members and professionals alike. They show how living an assertive life will lead to personal fulfillment without impinging on the rights of others. Of interest, they indicate that while the fundamentals have remained intact, as in using assertiveness skills to overcome anxiety and to express anger and love appropriately, there has been significant growth in application areas. Assertiveness has now spread to the world culture. Not limited to the mental health enterprise, it is now important for international business leaders, medical personnel, university students, teachers, IT workers, and parents. They also place some focus on assertiveness in important life situations such as intimacy and sexuality, family relationships, and when dealing with difficult people. Readers can expect clearly written text with many examples and worksheets to aid in the development of knowledge and behavioral skills. This book is a clear winner for all who want to live a better life!

Howard Kassinove, PhD, ABPP , professor of psychology and director at the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Anger and Aggression at Hofstra University

A tenth edition of YourPerfectRight ? These authors are certainly doing something right, and this book amply deserves its longevity and success. Readers will find its up-to-date research and practical applicationsfrom how to assert their rights without bullying to how to express anger without crueltyimmensely helpful.

Carol Tavris, PhD , coauthor of MistakesWereMade(but Not by Me)

Healthy relationships depend upon individual responses to situations, whether personal or in the workplace. Alberti and Emmons have updated their work to acknowledge the increasing disruptions politically and internationally, and to help readers understand how to be assertive without being a bully. New forms of communication e-mail, texting, tweeting, etc. all require new rules for interaction. Of particular interest is the advice for employees, bosses, and supervisors that will guide them in dealing with difficult people, accepting and responding to criticism, and addressing anger management in the workplace.

Gretchen M. Bataille, PhD , strategic leadership consultant with ROI Consulting Group

In this landmark tenth edition, the book that launched a movement toward self-confidence and equality delivers on every promise, and then some. Written with genuine warmth and wisdom, Your Perfect Right is still the gold standard for how assertiveness enriches your life and elevates each and every relationship.

Nancy K. Austin, MBA , coauthor of A Passion for Excellence

Ive read each update of Your Perfect Right and this 10th edition is by far the best. Flip the cover and youll discover a treasure chest of wonderful ideas to build strong relationships, overcome needless social anxieties, and advance your enlightened interests. You can do this without needlessly trampling on the rights of others. This stand-up-for yourself book is a win-win for all!

Bill Knaus, EdD , author of The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety and founder of the Association of Procrastination Counselors and Educators.

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2017 by Robert E. Alberti and Michael L. Emmons

Impact Publishers

An imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

Cover design by Amy Shoup

Acquired by Tesilya Hanauer

Edited by Cindy Nixon

Indexed by James Minkin

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file

R.E.A.

M.L.E.

Robert E. Alberti

Weve been honored and humbled that so many readers, reviewers, therapists, and others have found value in these pages over nearly five decades. Ten editions, nearly a million and a half copies in print, translations published in more than twenty languages, lots of glowing feedbackits very rewarding to know our work may have touched so many lives.