TYPE A AND TYPE B BEHAVIOURAL SCALE
Personality
Personality is defined as the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an
individual’s distinctive character. It describes the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings and
behaviour that distinguish a person from others. It is influenced by both biological and
environmental factors and remains consistent throughout life. (Kernberg & Caligor,2005; Posner
et al 2003)
Type Theory
Type theory is a psychological theory that explains personality. The concept of Type A and
Type B were first introduced during the 1950s by cardiologists Rosenman and Friedman. These
two researchers were trying to identify psychosocial risk factors when they discovered these types.
Type theory is based on the idea that people have certain qualities or traits associated with certain
types of behaviour and thinking. Personality typologies are usually very appealing, but are too
simplistic. Human behaviour is highly complex and variable. Assigning people to a particular
personality type is difficult. (Bernstein, Penner, Clarke-Stewart, & Roy (2008))
Definition of Type A personality
Type A and Type B personality hypothesis describes two contrasting personality types. In
this hypothesis, personalities that are more competitive, highly organized, ambitious, impatient,
highly aware of time management, or aggressive are labelled Type A. The phrase "Type A" refers
to a pattern of behavior and personality associated with high achievement, competitiveness, and
impatience, among other characteristics.
, In particular, the positive traits of a Type A personality include Self-control, Motivation to achieve
results, Competitiveness, Multi-tasking skills. (Friedman, Howard S.; Booth-Kewley, Stephanie
(1987). People who have this personality type strive to be high achievers; they want to be the best
of the best. They seem to possess high motivation, lack patience, feel short of time, be in a great
hurry and feel like always being burdened with work. Such people find it difficult to slow down
and relax. They tend to be more disagreeable and conscientious. They are able to multitask and
take on new challenges to succeed. People with Type A personality are more susceptible to
problems like hypertension and Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD). (Haemmerlie, F. M., Robinson,
D. A., & Carmen, R. C. (1991))
Definition of Type B personality
People with Type B personality can be understood as those with the absence of Type A
traits. They are not as concerned with finishing the job first. They are flexible and come up with
different ideas to attain a goal. They tend to be easy going and are laid back in nature. They tend
to have low level of competitiveness, are more friendly and have low levels of aggression. People
with a Type B personality are often described as easygoing, relaxed, and highly flexible and also
tend to take a much more casual, carefree approach. The type B personality is characterized by a
set of traits that include Flexibility, Low stress level, Relaxed attitude, Adaptability to change,
Even-tempered nature, Laid-back attitude, Tendency to procrastinate, Patience and creativity
Strengths and Weaknesses of Type A and Type B personality
Type A personalities are typically driven, ambitious, successful, and may even live longer.
But they are also more stressed and prone to depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. Type
A personalities can try to be happier by practicing more patience with themselves and others. Some
Personality
Personality is defined as the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an
individual’s distinctive character. It describes the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings and
behaviour that distinguish a person from others. It is influenced by both biological and
environmental factors and remains consistent throughout life. (Kernberg & Caligor,2005; Posner
et al 2003)
Type Theory
Type theory is a psychological theory that explains personality. The concept of Type A and
Type B were first introduced during the 1950s by cardiologists Rosenman and Friedman. These
two researchers were trying to identify psychosocial risk factors when they discovered these types.
Type theory is based on the idea that people have certain qualities or traits associated with certain
types of behaviour and thinking. Personality typologies are usually very appealing, but are too
simplistic. Human behaviour is highly complex and variable. Assigning people to a particular
personality type is difficult. (Bernstein, Penner, Clarke-Stewart, & Roy (2008))
Definition of Type A personality
Type A and Type B personality hypothesis describes two contrasting personality types. In
this hypothesis, personalities that are more competitive, highly organized, ambitious, impatient,
highly aware of time management, or aggressive are labelled Type A. The phrase "Type A" refers
to a pattern of behavior and personality associated with high achievement, competitiveness, and
impatience, among other characteristics.
, In particular, the positive traits of a Type A personality include Self-control, Motivation to achieve
results, Competitiveness, Multi-tasking skills. (Friedman, Howard S.; Booth-Kewley, Stephanie
(1987). People who have this personality type strive to be high achievers; they want to be the best
of the best. They seem to possess high motivation, lack patience, feel short of time, be in a great
hurry and feel like always being burdened with work. Such people find it difficult to slow down
and relax. They tend to be more disagreeable and conscientious. They are able to multitask and
take on new challenges to succeed. People with Type A personality are more susceptible to
problems like hypertension and Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD). (Haemmerlie, F. M., Robinson,
D. A., & Carmen, R. C. (1991))
Definition of Type B personality
People with Type B personality can be understood as those with the absence of Type A
traits. They are not as concerned with finishing the job first. They are flexible and come up with
different ideas to attain a goal. They tend to be easy going and are laid back in nature. They tend
to have low level of competitiveness, are more friendly and have low levels of aggression. People
with a Type B personality are often described as easygoing, relaxed, and highly flexible and also
tend to take a much more casual, carefree approach. The type B personality is characterized by a
set of traits that include Flexibility, Low stress level, Relaxed attitude, Adaptability to change,
Even-tempered nature, Laid-back attitude, Tendency to procrastinate, Patience and creativity
Strengths and Weaknesses of Type A and Type B personality
Type A personalities are typically driven, ambitious, successful, and may even live longer.
But they are also more stressed and prone to depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. Type
A personalities can try to be happier by practicing more patience with themselves and others. Some
