One day, Cariann is approached by a male colleague who tells her that he thinks she is "really pretty" and that they "need" to go out soon. In response, she tells him, "I am not interested in you that way, and your behavior is inappropriate and unprofessional." According to the research discussed in the text, her response is best characterized as being: A. retaliatory
B. passive
C. assertive
D. coercive