Type A and Type B Personality

Nayab ArshadRoll no. 1263

Personality has been conceptualized as a pattern of behavior that includes attributes, traits and mannerism distinguishing one individual from another.

Introduction

Theoretical Background

Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman (1974)

Two distinct patterns of personality traits

The type B – Common

Type A – Outliers

The Type A Personality

“An action-emotion complex that can be

observed in any person who is aggressively involved in a chronic, incessant struggle to

achieve more and more in less and less time.”

(Friedman and Rosenman, 1974)

Underlying Defense Mechanism

Compensation

Hard work and Overachievement

Try to accoun

t for insecurities

Low self‐

esteem

Characteristics Of Type A Personality

1. Free-floating hostility

2. Time Urgency and impatience

3. Competitive drive

4. Life imbalance

5. Preoccupation

6. Achievement orientation

Problems associated with Type A Personality

Aggression

Hypertension

Heart Disease

Job Stress

Social Isolation

Assessment

Personality type test by Dr. Howard Glazer

Management of Type A Characteristics Behavioral Strategies

i. Breathing Exercises ii. Self management training iii. Gardening

Cognitive Strategiesi. Journalingii. Thought diaries iii. Written ventilationiv. Problem solving trainingv. Constructive alternativism  

Strategies for others to deal with type A individuals

i. Assertivenessii. Conflict resolution techniquesiii. Healthy boundaries

Type B individuals are patient, relaxed, and easy-going, generally lacking any sense of

urgency. They are often described as

apathetic and disengaged by

individuals with Type A or other personality

types.

Type B Personality

Characteristics of Type B Personality

Calmness

Creativity

Job satisfaction

Emotional stability

Compassion

Even temperament

Management of Type B Personality

Motivation building

Collaboration

Social acceptance

Individuals with type C personality pattern

have difficulty expressing emotion and

tend to suppress emotions. Such

individuals display pathological niceness,

conflict avoidance, high social desirability,

over compliance and over patience.

Type C Personality

Underlying defense mechanism

Pathological niceness

Characteristics of Type C Personality

Vigilance

Sophistication

Concern

Concrete

Management of Type C Personality

Cognitive restructuring

Detail-oriented tasks

Autonomy to solve complex challenges

Data-driven activities

Personality Hardiness

A set of personality characteristics that allow the individual to defend against the negative effects of stress

The 3 C’s of hardiness

Control

Commitment

Challenge

Research into the ‘hardy’ personality

To investigate whether a ‘hardy’ personality impacts on an individuals ability to defend against the negative effects of stress

Findings Hardy personality type is linked to stress

levels

Defends against the negative effects of stress

Encourages resilience and helps an individual to cope with stress (Kobasa, 2006).

Empirical Research on Type A/B Theory

Friedman & Rosenman (1976) - longitudinal study to test hypothesis that type A personality predicts incidents of heart disease.

Type A participants were twice as likely to develop heart disease as Type B’s

Type A behavior makes individuals more prone to stress-related illnesses.

(Friedman & Rosenman, 1976)

Critical Evaluation Description of complex human

experiences within narrowly defined parameters.

Type A behavior is not a good predictor of coronary heart disease.

A much more sophisticated model is needed to predict coronary heart disease.

Conclusion The distinction of type A and B

personality - not entirely supported by professionals

Significant in terms of the characteristics that can help understand the underlying mechanisms

Effective intervention plans, keeping in view pattern of individuals dealt in the spectrum of health psychology.

References

Baum, T. A. Revenson & J. E. Singer (Eds.) Handbook of Health Psychology. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Friedman, M. (1996). Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment. New York, Plenum Press (Kluwer Academic Press), pp. 31 ff.

McLeod, S. A. (2011). Type A Personality. Retrieved on April 26th, 2015 from http://www.simplypsychology.org/personality-a.html.

Scott, E. (2004). How To Soften Type A Traits. Retrieved on April 26th, 2015 from http://stress.about.co/od/understandingstress/a/type_a_person_2.html.

Type A and Type B personality theory Retrieved on April 26th, 2015 from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=463058306.

   

Thank You