The Type A Personality

Type A Personality 

Type A personality describes a person who is involved in an incessant struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time. Friedman and Rosenman (1959) believed the Type A individual possessed three major characteristics:

- Competitiveness and achievement striving 

- Impatience and time urgency 

- Hostility and aggressiveness 

These characteristics would lead to raised blood pressure and raised levels of stress hormones, both of which are linked to ill health, particularly the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). In contrast Type B personality relatively lacking these characteristics, being patient, relaxed, and easy going, and therefore less vulnerable to stress-related illness. 

Research on Type A personality:

Friedman and Rosenman set up the Western Collaberative Group Study in 1960. Approximately 3000 men aged 39 to 59, living in California, were examined for signs of CHD and their personalities assessed using a structured interview. The interview included questions about how they responded to everyday pressures. 

The Findings:

After 8 and a half years, twice as many Type A participants had died of cardiovascular problems. As can be seen from the table, over 12% of the experienced a heart attack, compared to just 6% of the Type Bs. Type As also had cholesterol. They were also more likely to smoke and have a family history of CHD, both of which would increase their risk.