Type A and Type B Personality: Understanding the Differences and Their Impact
What Are Type A and Type B Personalities?
Type A and Type B personality theory was developed by Friedman and Rosenman (1974) to explain how different personality types relate to stress and health. This theory categorises individuals into two broad personality types:
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Type A Personality: Competitive, highly organised, impatient, and more prone to stress-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease (CHD).
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Type B Personality: More relaxed, laid-back, and less likely to experience stress-related health problems.
Understanding these personality types is crucial in psychology, particularly in health psychology, stress management, and behavioural interventions.
Type A vs. Type B Personality Traits
| Feature | Type A Personality | Type B Personality |
|---|---|---|
| Competitiveness | Highly competitive and goal-driven | More relaxed and less competitive |
| Time Urgency | Constantly aware of time, hurries tasks | More flexible and patient |
| Multitasking | Engages in multiple tasks simultaneously | Takes a more focused and relaxed approach to work |
| Stress Levels | Higher stress levels, prone to anxiety | Lower stress levels, handles pressure well |
| Risk of CHD | Increased risk due to chronic stress and high blood pressure | Lower risk due to relaxed lifestyle |
The Impact of Type A Personality on Stress and Health
Research suggests that Type A individuals are more likely to experience the negative effects of stress due to their heightened physiological responses. The "fight or flight" response is triggered more frequently in Type A individuals, leading to an increased release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, this heightened state of arousal can contribute to:
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High blood pressure (hypertension)
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Increased heart rate
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Coronary heart disease (CHD)
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Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
By contrast, Type B individuals tend to be more resilient to stress, reducing their risk of such health complications.
How Do Psychologists Measure Type A Personality?
Psychologists have developed several methods to assess whether an individual exhibits Type A or Type B behaviour. Some of the key methods include:
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The Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS): A questionnaire designed to classify individuals based on their personality type.
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Structured Interviews: Psychologists, such as Friedman and Rosenman, conducted interviews where participants were interrupted frequently to gauge their reaction to stress and frustration.
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Behavioural Observations: Assessing traits such as time urgency, competitiveness, and hostility in real-world situations.
These methods help psychologists determine how personality affects health outcomes and stress levels.
AQA Exam Practice Questions
Question 1
Harry always meets deadlines. He hates being late and always likes to keep himself busy with plenty to do. Alex does not mind being late for anything and although he tries to meet deadlines, he is not worried if he misses some of them.
(a) Is Harry or Alex more likely to have Type A personality? Explain why having Type A personality makes him more likely to suffer the negative effects of stress.
(4 marks)
Answer
AO2 = 4
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Harry is more likely to have Type A personality because he is highly time-conscious, goal-driven, and dislikes being late.
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Type A individuals are more prone to stress-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and high blood pressure.
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They experience frequent activation of the "fight or flight" response, leading to excessive stress hormone production.
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Over time, this increased physiological arousal can result in long-term health complications.
Question 2
(b) Outline one way in which psychologists measure Type A personality.
(2 marks)
Answer
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One way psychologists measure Type A personality is through structured interviews, such as those used by Friedman and Rosenman.
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In these interviews, participants were deliberately interrupted to assess their level of impatience and competitiveness, which are key traits of Type A behaviour.
Conclusion
Understanding Type A and Type B personalities provides valuable insights into how personality influences stress and health. Those with Type A traits should consider stress management techniques to reduce their risk of heart disease and other health issues, while Type B individuals may benefit from structured goal-setting to enhance productivity.