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1 Chapter 1 : The 16 Personality Type Profiles Truity Type 1 personality is cancer prone, Type 2 is CHD prone, Type 3 is alternating between behaviors characteristic of Types 1 and 2, and Type 4 is a healthy, autonomous type hypothesized to survive best. Effective typologies also allow for increased ability to predict clinically relevant information about people and to develop effective treatment strategies. These classification systems attempt to describe normal temperament and personality and emphasize the predominant features of different temperament and personality types; they are largely the province of the discipline of psychology. Personality disorders, on the other hand, reflect the work of psychiatry, a medical specialty, and are disease-oriented. Furthermore, because personality test scores usually fall on a bell curve rather than in distinct categories, [4] personality type theories have received considerable criticism among psychometric researchers. Most researchers now believe that it is impossible to explain the diversity of human personality with a small number of discrete types. They recommend trait models instead, such as the five-factor model. Table of similar systems of comparison of temperaments An early form of personality type indicator theory was the Four Temperaments system of Galen, based on the four humours model of Hippocrates ; an extended five temperaments system based on the classical theory was published in One example of personality types is Type A and Type B personality theory. According to this theory, impatient, achievement-oriented people are classified as Type A, whereas easy-going, relaxed individuals are designated as Type B. The theory originally suggested that Type A individuals were more at risk for coronary heart disease, but this claim has not been supported by empirical research. He suggests that shy, withdrawn children are best viewed as having an inhibited temperament, which is qualitatively different from that of other children. Hans Eysenck refers to superordinate personality factors as types, and more specific associated traits as traits. Carl Jung[ edit ] One of the more influential ideas originated in the theoretical work of Carl Jung as published in the book Psychological Types. Jung proposed the existence of two dichotomous pairs of cognitive functions: Among these he distinguishes four basic functions: According to Jung, rationality consists of figurative thoughts, feelings or actions with reason â a point of view based on objective value, which is set by practical experience. Nonrationality is not based in reason. Jung notes that elementary facts are also nonrational, not because they are illogical but because, as thoughts, they are not judgments. The preferences for extraversion and introversion are often called attitudes. Each of the cognitive functions can operate in the external world of behavior, action, people, and things extraverted attitude or the internal world of ideas and reflection introverted attitude. People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: If they are inactive, their motivation tends to decline. To rebuild their energy, extraverts need breaks from time spent in reflection. Conversely, those who prefer introversion expend energy through action: To rebuild their energy, introverts need quiet time alone, away from activity. Contrasting characteristics between extraverts and introverts include the following: Extraverts are action-oriented, while introverts are thought-oriented. Extraverts seek breadth of knowledge and influence, while introverts seek depth of knowledge and influence. Extraverts often prefer more frequent interaction, while introverts prefer more substantial interaction. Extraverts recharge and get their energy from spending time with people, while introverts recharge and get their energy from spending time alone. The functions are modified by two main attitude types: In any person, the degree of introversion or extraversion of one function can be quite different from that of another function. The two perceiving functions, sensation and intuition The two judging functions, thinking and feeling Sensation and intuition are the information-gathering perceiving functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer the sensation function are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible and concrete: For them, the meaning is in the data. On the other hand, those who prefer the intuition function tend to trust information that is more abstract or theoretical, that can be associated with other information either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern. They may be more interested in future possibilities. They tend to trust those flashes of insight that seem to bubble up from the unconscious mind. The meaning is in how the data relates to the pattern or theory. Thinking and feeling are the decision-making judging functions. The thinking Page 1

2 and feeling functions are both used to make rational decisions, based on the data received from their information-gathering functions sensing or intuition. Those who prefer the thinking function tend to decide things from a more detached standpoint, measuring the decision by what seems reasonable, logical, causal, consistent and matching a given set of rules. Dominant function[ edit ] All four functions are used at different times depending on the circumstances. However, one of the four functions is generally used more dominantly and proficiently than the other three, in a more conscious and confident way. According to Jung the dominant function is supported by two auxiliary functions. In MBTI publications the first auxiliary is usually called the auxiliary or secondary function and the second auxiliary function is usually called the tertiary function. The fourth and least conscious function is always the opposite of the dominant function. Jung called this the "inferior function" and Myers sometimes also called it the "shadow function". These psychological differences are sorted into four opposite pairs, or dichotomies, with a resulting eight possible psychological types. People tend to find using their opposite psychological preferences more difficult, even if they can become more proficient and therefore behaviorally flexible with practice and development. The four functions operate in conjunction with the attitudes extraversion and introversion. Each function is used in either an extraverted or introverted way. A person whose dominant function is extraverted intuition, for example, uses intuition very differently from someone whose dominant function is introverted intuition. The eight psychological types are as follows: Page 2

3 Chapter 2 : Personality Types A B C D Explained - Joseph Chris Partners This type of personality concerns how people respond to stress. However, although its name implies a personality typology, it is more appropriately conceptualized as a trait continuum, with extremes Type-A and Type-B individuals on each end. Are you a person who is competitive by nature? Do you find yourself being very goal driven or highly motivated? Or do you consider yourself a person with a more laid-back demeanor? Are you rarely stressed and tend to procrastinate when it comes to handling tasks or assignments? Or do you find yourself being a mixture of both? Whether you have ever heard of type A and type B personality theories or not, this useful guide explains in the history of these personality theories, the personality types in detail, health risks that are associated with certain personality types and how to prevent them. Feel free to take any of the quizzes at the end of the article to find out which personality type you are. What are Personality Types? The theory of Type A personality first emerged in the s when cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman conducted an eight and a half year longitudinal study among healthy men aged 35 and What first drew them to conduct this study was the observation they made regarding the patients in their waiting rooms who had known heart conditions. What they noticed was that some of these patients had worn down the front edges of the seat and armrest areas of the chairs in the waiting room, indicating that more time was spent sitting at the edge of the seat instead of the usual back area of the chair. These particular patients were also unable to sit in the chair for long periods of time and got up from their seat frequently. Amazed at this phenomenon, Friedman and Rosenman decided to study this further. The subsequent study was done to find the correlation between personality and heart disease. Their findings showed that the men more likely to experience heart problems were men who displayed impatient, highly driven and highly stressed personalities. Fast-forward over forty years later and this personality theory has expanded in research within the psychological and medical communities. Not only have more personality types emerged since the emergence of Type Aâ each with their own distinct characteristicsâ but also certain personality types are believed to show a relationship with health risks. It is important to note, however, that over the recent years, more psychologists recommend using caution when labeling someone one of these personality types. As a psychology professor at the University of Michigan, John Schaubroeck explains to the Huffington Post, the behaviors and characteristics of these personality types should be seen as a spectrum instead of distinct labels. In the next section, we will discuss the personality types and their characteristics. As previously mentioned, the personality type theory has expanded greatly since it first emerged in the s. Although Type A and Type B personality are the most commonly know personalities in this theory, Type C, and Type D personality has also been written about in academic journals. Olivia Pope- Courtesy of the HuffPost There are three distinct characteristics of a Type A personality although some researchers may list more distinct characteristics. The first is the tendency to be highly competitive. Type A personalities are very goal-oriented and work hard to achieve these goals. However, there is little sense of joy in the accomplishment of goals. This could be due to the fact that Type A personalities can be self-critical. Another distinct characteristic of Type A personality is time urgency. This means that Type A personalities have a habit of being inflexible when it comes to scheduling time commitments and making a habit of multitasking. For example, eating while working on an assignment. The third distinct characteristic of a Type A personality is hostility. This characteristic might be the closest link to the assumption that personality types can be linked to heart disease. Type A personalities can be easily angered or hostile. They can show bouts of anger and lack of compassion toward others. In some cases, Type A personalities can show physical aggression towards other people and can be labeled as bullies. There are also three distinct characteristics of Type B personalities and similar to Type A, some researchers list more. The first characteristic is their non-competitive and relaxed nature. Unlike Type A personalities, Type B personalities are not highly competitive and may focus less on seeing things as winning or losing. When Type B personalities do happen to lose at something, such as a game, they still find enjoyment and satisfaction in participating in it. Type B personalities also find satisfaction in their achievements, due to the fact that they are Page 3

4 not self-critical, unlike their Type A counterparts. Another distinct characteristic of Type B personalities is their lack of time urgency. Because Type B personalities are more relaxed, they do not see the need to race against time. For this, Type B personalities work steadily and handle tasks one at a time. They may be attracted to creative careers, for they display higher levels of creativity when compared to Type A personalities. Type B personalities may take on careers such as being a writer, actor, counselor or therapist or even careers such as a professor or judge. The third distinct characteristic of Type B personalities is their lack of hostility and aggression. Type B personalities do not seem to have a difficult time expressing their feelings, which could explain why they experience lower levels of anxiety. Type A and Type B Personality: Is there a Type C Personality? However, they do characteristics different from both Type A and Type B personalities. For example, Type C personalities tend to be detail-oriented and well focused, similar to Type A personalities. They can also strive to perfectionism with their work, causing them to find it difficult to work with other people. For that, Type C personalities can be introverted and prefer to work alone. This does not mean that Type C personalities are limited when it comes to choosing careers that fit their personality. They have a wider range of career choices than Type A or Type B personalities. Similar to Type B personalities, Type C personalities do not show hostility and aggressiveness towards others. In fact, Type C personalities are not known to be assertive when it comes to voicing their own needs. Type C personalities tend to support the needs of others instead of their own. As a result, suppressing their own individual needs and desires can cause stress and depression among Type C personalities. Type C personalities have been shown to be more prone to depression when compared to the other personality types. Health Risks Associated with Type A Personality The correlation between Type A personality and heart disease has been studied since the earliest emergence of the Type A personality theory. Both Friedman and Rosenman believed that individuals with Type A personalities were more likely to develop heart disease than their Type B counterparts. This relation has since been debated in the field of medicine. Some research has suggested the link to be strong, while others, like the study appearing in the Public Library of Science, have seen no link. One of the arguments raised about the earlier studies showing a link between Type A personality and heart disease is the disregard researchers had for confounding variables, such as diet and lifestyles, in the patients that were discovered to have heart disease. As mentioned earlier, what might be the closest link to heart disease in Type A personalities is the hostility and aggression. Individuals who handle stress with hostility and aggression can add chronic strains to the heart and body, which can have adverse effects long-term. The best way to prevent stress-related illnesses is to learn how to handle stress with various stress-management techniques. What this means is that it is impossible to categorize over seven billion living people into just four including Type D personality types. Since these personality types should be seen along a spectrum, we should understand that it is more likely that each one of us displays a mixture of personality types, with our strengths leaning towards one end of the spectrum than others at different points in our lives. It is also important to note that although health risks have been linked to Type A personalities, other personality types can be susceptible to stress-related illnesses. It is important to find ways to manage stress in the healthiest ways possible. If you want to find better ways to manage stress, it is recommended that you consult a doctor or other health care professional. Hope you enjoyed this article and feel free to comment below. Posted January 13, What is Your Personality Type? Type A, B, C or D?. Posted June 13, The University of Michigan Record Online. Posted September 5, Posted December 12, Jessica Idumonyi Jessica is a writer specialized in psychology and mental health. She is passionate about neuroscience and behavioral neuroscience. She is constantly looking for psychological phenomenons. She plans on continuing to get her Ph. Jessica is happy to give or take advice, and is always working towards ways to educate and inspire others. Page 4

5 Chapter 3 : Type A Personality Test Type A personality traits, including competitiveness, time urgency, and a tendency toward workaholism, can be seen (particularly by Type A people) as beneficial for career success. However, they are counterparts with Type B personalitiesâ those who tend to be less focused on competitiveness and more on enjoying the journey. Can you see through these real-life optical illusions? Type A personality refers to a type of personality that is characterized by perfectionism, a high degree of stress, impatience and inappropriate expressions of anger or frustration. The term was coined in the s by cardiologists, Dr. Meyer Friedman and Dr. They theorized that people who were labeled Type A were much more likely to suffer heart attacks. The term quickly came into public use, and became even more commonly known as a result of a book published in by the two doctors Type A Behavior and Your Heart. In the s, Rosenman, C. These were multiple-choice tests that could be self-administered. Some people did not fit either category and were classed as AB. Psychology in general has largely dismissed these categories as far too generalized, especially as diagnosed by minute tests. Instead, modern psychometric testing leans more often toward describing behavior types that allow for a much greater range in personality traits. Ad Despite dismissing the classification of Type A personality, it is certainly true that people who are under a great deal of stress are more likely to suffer from heart disease and are at greater risk for heart attack. Stress is not the only factor, but it remains an important one. People who are rigid perfectionists or exhibit classic Type A traits frequently engage in a barrage of self-attack, in addition to criticizing others. The underlying low self-esteem influences not just competitiveness, but self-attacking behavior can place the mind and the body in a constant state of stress. The classic Type A personality tends to react angrily toward others, which makes maintaining relationships difficult. This can leave the person suffering from alienation, which only reinforces a core concept that the person is somehow unworthy. In modern psychology and testing, the one aspect of this personality that seems a reliable predictor of heart disease is aggression, and most people who would describe themselves as Type A are not truly so. Some can actually view type A personality as a positive thing, and most connect the ideas of perfectionism with high achievement, rather than with excess anger. Being a perfectionist does not necessarily make someone hostile toward others. A person who is successful or competitive may be described positively as Type A, and may exhibit many wonderful qualities of caring for others. In fact, some athletes would describe themselves this way and would certainly be rigid in maintaining a diet and exercise plan that would keep them well away from risk of heart attack. To do so oversimplifies human character, and makes prediction for disease based on these generalized traits bad medicine. Page 5

6 Chapter 4 : Type A Personality Traits Type A personality refers to a type of personality that is characterized by perfectionism, a high degree of stress, impatience and inappropriate expressions of anger or frustration. Underlying this personality type is a low self-esteem that drives a person to "overstrive" and compete. Ever wondered what they meant by that? There are actually 4 different personality types that have been classified into major categories. They have been designated as types A, B, C, and D. Each personality type has certain traits and characteristics which set it apart from the others. It is important to note that people can have traits and characteristics from all for classifications. The type of personality that they are assigned when tested is based on the majority of characteristics and traits that are on display. People who have a Type A personality tend to focus on competition. People with this personality are often working on multiple projects at the same time because they have an almost desperate need to be seen as a winner. People who have a Type B personality tend to be more relaxed. People who have a Type C personality like to focus on the fine details of any given situation. They like to get lost in whatever information is available to them to glean out new opinions from the data. Instead of being assertive about what they want to do, this personality type tends to let other people follow their own path and set their desires aside for a later time. This tends to cause higher levels of stress in these folks and often regret: People who have a Type D personality tend to see the world in a very negative way. Although there may be situations that most people would find to be optimistic, this personality type will always be pessimistic about any potential outcome. Their outlook toward life itself can be severely negative as well. There is a constant fear of rejection in some way, which often causes this personality type to live a fairly isolated life. This is the personality type that has the highest risk of suffering from depression at some point during their lifetime. Your experiences, your relationships, and even the foods you eat can all have an impact on your personality. If you want to make changes, then make them. Sometimes what holds a personality back is an underlying physical or mental issue. There may be a phobia of social situations or of rejection. By examining the root issues that are causing the phobia, the personality can change as the fears begin to disappear. The personality types A, B, C, and D explained here will help you to have confidence in yourself, no matter what type of personality you may be. When you do, you may find that you know yourself better than you may think. Page 6

7 Chapter 5 : What is a type A personality? definition and meaning - theinnatdunvilla.com A study conducted in the s connected two personality types to heart disease risks. Cardiologists Meyer Friedman and R. H. Rosenman conducted a study and came up with a theory that best illustrates two opposing personality types - the typically highly-strung Type A and the laidback Type B. History[ edit ] Type A personality behavior was first described as a potential risk factor for heart disease in the s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman. They discovered that their patients were wearing out the arms and upholstery on the chairs in the waiting room. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire, that asked questions like "Do you feel guilty if you use spare time to relax? People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving " workaholics ". They push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence. Its Diagnosis and Treatment, Friedman suggests that dangerous Type A behavior is expressed through three major symptoms: The first of these symptoms is believed to be covert and therefore less observable, while the other two are more overt. The first being the SI and the second being the Jenkins Activity Survey JAS [12] The SI assessment involves an interviewer measuring a persons emotional, nonverbal and verbal responses your expressive style. The JAS involves a self questionnaire with three main categories: Type B personality, by definition, are noted to live at lower stress levels. They typically work steadily, and may enjoy achievement, although they have a greater tendency to disregard physical or mental stress when they do not achieve. When faced with competition, they may focus less on winning or losing than their Type A counterparts, and more on enjoying the game regardless of winning or losing. However, network and computer systems managers, professors, and judges are more likely to be Type B individuals as well. Their personal character may enjoy exploring ideas and concepts. Type B personality types are more tolerant than individuals in the Type A category. Rivalry between Type A individuals was shown by more aggressive behavior in their interactions, including initial antisocial responses, refusal to cooperate, verbal threats, and behavioral challenges. While the latter could serve as a confounding variable, the former calls into question whether the findings can be generalized to the remaining male population or to the female population as a whole. Subjects in the control group received group cardiac counseling, and subjects in the treatment group received cardiac counseling plus Type A counseling. Though apparently unpaid for, this letter was approved by and blind-copied to Philip Morris, and Friedman falsely claimed to receive funding largely from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Also on the whole most TABP studies had no relationship to the tobacco lobby but the majority of those with positive findings did. The initial study that pointed to the association of Type A personality and heart attacks had a massive number of questions under consideration. When there are a lot of questions there is a high probability of a false positive. Two subsequent studies[ by whom? Those considerations may have changed. Other studies[ edit ] A study was performed that tested the effect of psychosocial variables, in particular personality and stress, as risk factors for cancer and coronary heart disease CHD. Type 1 personality is cancer prone, Type 2 is CHD prone, Type 3 is alternating between behaviors characteristic of Types 1 and 2, and Type 4 is a healthy, autonomous type hypothesized to survive best. The data suggests that the Type 1 probands die mainly from cancer, type 2 from CHD, whereas Type 3 and especially Type 4 probands show a much lower death rate. Two additional types of personalities were measured, Type 5 and Type 6. Type 5 is a rational anti-emotional type, which shows characteristics common to Type 1 and Type 2. Type 6 personality shows psychopathic tendencies and is prone to drug addiction and AIDS. As a method of treatment for cancer-prone patients, behavior therapy is used. Behavior therapy would also teach them how to cope with stress-producing situations more successfully. The effectiveness of therapy in preventing death in cancer and CHD is evident. Other measures of therapy have been attempted, such as group therapy. The effects were not as dramatic as behavior therapy, but still showed improvement in preventing death among cancer and CHD patients. From the study above, several conclusions have been made. A relationship between personality and cancer exists, along with a relationship between personality and coronary heart disease. Personality type acts as a risk factor for diseases and interacts synergistically with other risk factors, such as smoking and heredity. It has been statistically proven that behavior therapy can Page 7

8 significantly reduce the likelihood of cancer or coronary heart disease mortality. On the contrary, psychoanalysis can increase the likelihood of cancer and coronary heart disease mortality drastically. Mental disorders arise from physical causes, and likewise, physical disorders arise from mental causes. While Type A personality did not show a strong direct relationship between its attributes and the cause of coronary heart disease, other types of personalities have shown strong influences on both cancer-prone patients and those prone to coronary heart disease. They were followed up until the end of through linkage with the National Death Registry. Type A measures were inconsistently associated with cardiovascular mortality, and most associations were non-significant. Some scales suggested slightly decreased, rather than increased, risk of CVD death during the follow-up. Associations with non-cardiovascular deaths were even weaker. An analysis of the literature suggests the possible role of Mg deficiency in the susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, observed among subjects displaying a type A behavior pattern. Type A subjects are more sensitive to stress and produce more catecholamines than type B subjects. This, in turn, seems to induce an intracellular Mg loss. In the long run, type A individuals would develop a state of Mg deficiency, which may promote a greater sensitivity to stress and, ultimately, lead to the development of cardiovascular problems. Their results showed that Type B personalities had more severe issues with substance abuse than Type A personalities. Page 8

9 Chapter 6 : What Is Your Personality Type? Type A, B, C or D? Owlcation Definition of type A personality: A temperament characterized by excessive ambition, aggression, competitiveness, drive, impatience, need for control, focus on quantity over quality and unrealistic sense of urgency. By Contributor A study conducted in the s connected two personality types to heart disease risks. Cardiologists Meyer Friedman and R. Rosenman conducted a study and came up with a theory that best illustrates two opposing personality types â the typically highly-strung Type A and the laidback Type B. Can your probability of acquiring a heart disease be really determined by how domineering or lackadaisical you are? What Is a Type A Personality The study revealed that a person with a Type A personality is more likely to be preoccupied with social status, accomplishment in life, and self-esteem. So what is a type A personality? Well, this person is often domineering, impatient, and prone or quick to anger. This personality type was found to be associated with the higher risk of developing heart ailments compared to the other type. Type A people mainly have the following behavior and outlook in life: These people are high-achievers. They are great at multi-tasking unrelated duties and jobs. They usually perform beyond par. They are constantly in a race to achieve higher goals. When goals are attained, they set much loftier aspirations. They find it difficult to accept failure. It is never one of their realities. They feel like time is an opponent that they have to beat every day. They will work their butts off to exhaustion. This severe sense of urgency makes them edgy. Relaxation is difficult for them. They need to compete. If there is no obvious competition, they create one. They are driven people, usually self-driven. Their stress levels are generally high. Type B The study, which was completed in nearly a decade, concluded that Type B people have lower incidence of heart problems. Type B personalities are indulgent and tolerant. They also reported higher levels of satisfaction in life. Typically, these people have the following characteristics: They know their abilities and work steadily for their goals. They enjoy their achievements. They are not too stressed out to excel. They can be disappointed when they fall short of their goals, but they are not devastated. They are more accepting of failures. They enjoy games and competitions, not for the sole objective of winning but for the love of the game. They are reflective and innovative. They allow themselves to explore and fail, if necessary. Sometimes they are too relaxed and laid-back that they lack the drive to reach the uppermost of their careers. Or maybe your are truly a hybrid? There is no cut-and-dried formula for determining cardiac risks in relation to personality traits. A simple personality typing test cannot singularly predict heart problems or other illnesses, for that matter. It is, however, noteworthy to look into the personality types to see how personal characteristics contribute to stress, and how stress leads to heart disease. If you distinctly lean toward the Type A personality, it might be a good idea to mellow on your get-up-and-go attitude. And if you lean predominantly towards the Type B personality, it may be good to learn some things from Type As. Like most things in life, it is best to have a healthy mixture of polar opposites. If you are interested in watching the 2 minute video version of showing the difference between Type A and Type B, watch out video below: If you are interested in finding out whether your are more Type A or Type B, take our test below: Page 9

10 Chapter 7 : Type C Personality - Definition, Traits and Test - ( - Updated) The Type A Personality Quiz You got: Classic Type A Peter Dazeley/Getty Images You appear to have a classic "Type A" personality. This puts you at a higher risk for heart problems and high blood pressure, plus other difficulties. Check new design of our homepage! They are not stubborn, and adapt according to situations. Studying the traits of type B, in contrast to type A, will help in better understanding of the subject. PsycholoGenie Staff Last Updated: Mar 26, Personality tests are undertaken as a part of employee selection process. This is because it is believed that people belonging to certain personality types are more suited to specific fields like marketing, sales, management, administration, etc. The personality type theory is based on the behavioral pattern portrayed by an individual. Personality types classify people broadly according to their behavioral traits, attitudes, preferences, way of life, etc. According to one of these personality theories, people are broadly classified into type A and type B personality. Individuals belonging to type A and B personality are completely opposite to each other. In order to understand the traits of a particular personality type, it is essential to have brief information about the other. Knowing your personality type will help you know whether you are at a risk of suffering from coronary heart disease or not. People belonging to the B type personality can deal with stress, usually do not suffer from anxiety, and hence, are not at the risk of suffering from heart diseases. It is essential to note here that the comparisons between personality types A and B are simply made for better understanding. It is in no way intended to prove that one is better than the other. Understanding Type B Personality One of the major traits of type B personality is that these people do not get irritated or angry easily. They are laid back and relaxed. They rarely tend to be aggressive or frustrated. They are very calm as compared to their highly strung counterparts type A. They are very patient and usually have a lot of self-control. They are not obsessively competitive. Their competitiveness is often productive. These people tend to be productive under stress. People of B type personality tend to plan things in advance before executing them. They rarely complain or fret. They do not obsessively wish to lead the group or be in control of all the situations. They can easily face things and situations as they come. People belonging to type B personality are very much tolerant and flexible. They can comfortably adapt to situations and changes. They may even let go of their habits, routine much easily than their counterparts. They do not mind waiting in a line or waiting to get their work done. They do not suffer from anxiety or extreme temper in these cases. They are social and love to be part of a large group. As they are fun loving, people love being in their company. They are emotional, tend to express their feelings and are not indifferent towards others. They usually have a good social life. Relaxation, enjoyment, fun comes very naturally to them. They spend their free time socializing, shopping or having a good time. People of type A personality often wish they were working rather than spending their time in leisure; but, the type B individuals are just the opposite. People with B type personality have controlled eating habits and lifestyle. They usually do not have any obsessive compulsive habits. On the other hand, people belonging to this type may also be criticized for not following time schedule. They often tend to procrastinate things and do their work at the last moment. Even then, they do not get stressed. Due to their excessively relaxed attitude, these people are also, sometimes, criticized for being too casual in their approach. Secondly, they may even be overly emotional and lack the ability to take decisions. Type A and type B personality theory was proposed in the s when studies were carried out to identify behavior pattern that could, possibly, lead to heart diseases. One of the negative aspects of this theory is that the characteristics mentioned for personality types A and B are often limited to middle-aged people. They are also very broadly classified, and hence, may not be applicable in all cases. Also note that there has been no direct link between personality type and heart diseases. But, studies definitely prove that showing characteristic traits of certain personality type may have a negative effect on your overall health and also on your chances of developing any physical or mental illness. The traits mentioned above broadly describe the type B personality traits. They will help in knowing whether you belong to this personality type or not. However, for more detailed and personalized result, you can consult a counselor or a psychologist and undertake a personality test. Lastly, remember that although the personality type A and type B theory is one of the most popular theories in Page 10

11 psychology, it cannot be taken as a foolproof basis to determine whether you suffer from heart diseases or not. Belonging to a particular personality type is not the only reason to induce or avoid heart diseases. Page 11

12 Chapter 8 : Personality Types 16Personalities It's kind of disappointing that you can be Type A, which has advantages and disadvantages, Type B, which has different advantages and disadvantages, and Type D, which has disadvantages. However, although its name implies a personality typology, it is more appropriately conceptualized as a trait continuum, with extremes Type-A and Type-B individuals on each end. Research Background Friedman and Rosenman both cardiologists actually discovered the Type A behavior by accident after they realized that their waiting-room chairs needed to be reupholstered much sooner than anticipated. When the upholsterer arrived to do the work, he carefully inspected the chairs and noted that the upholstery had worn in an unusual way: They tended to sit on the edge of the seat and leaped up frequently. However, the doctors initially dismissed this remark, and it was only five years later that they began their formal research. Friedman and Rosenman labeled this behavior Type A personality. They subsequently conduced research to show that people with type A personality run a higher risk of heart disease and high blood pressure than type Bs. Competitiveness Type A individuals tend to be very competitive and self-critical. They strive toward goals without feeling a sense of joy in their efforts or accomplishments. Interrelated with this is the presence of a significant life imbalance. This is characterized by a high work involvement. They also tend to have high blood pressure hypertension. Time Urgency Type A personalities experience a constant sense of urgency: Type A people seem to be in a constant struggle against the clock. Often, they quickly become impatient with delays and unproductive time, schedule commitments too tightly, and try to do more than one thing at a time, such as reading while eating or watching television. Hostility Type A individuals tend to be easily aroused to anger or hostility, which they may or may not express overtly. Such individuals tend to see the worse in others, displaying anger, envy and a lack of compassion. When this behavior is expressed overtly i. Hostility appears to be the main factor linked to heart disease and is a better predictor than the TAPB as a whole. The Type C personality has difficulty expressing emotion and tends to suppress emotions, particularly negative ones such as anger. The Western Collaborative Group Study followed healthy men, aged between thirty-nine and fifty-nine for eight and a half years. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. Do you feel guilty if you use spare time to relax? Do you need to win in order to derive enjoyment from games and sports? Do you generally move, walk and eat rapidly? Do you often try to do more than one thing at a time? From their responses, and from their manner, each participant was put into one of two groups: According to the results of the questionnaire individuals were classified as Type A personalities, and Type B. Findings The researchers found that more than twice as many Type A people as Type B people developed coronary heart disease. When the figures were adjusted for smoking, lifestyle, etc. For example, eight years later of the participants had developed coronary heart disease. The Type A personality types behavior makes them more prone to stress-related illnesses such as CHD, raised blood pressure, etc. As a result, they are more likely to have the stress hormones present, which over a long period of time leads to a range of stress-related illnesses. Research Evaluation Limitations of the study involve problems with external validity. Because the study used an all male sample it is unknown if the results could be generalized to a female population. Studies carried out on women have not shown such a major difference between Type A and Type B and subsequent health. This may suggest that different coping strategies are just as important as personality. The study was able to control for other important variables, such as smoking and lifestyle. This is good as it makes it less likely that such extraneous variables could confound the results of the study. Theoretical Evaluation However, there are a number of problems with the type A and B approach. Such approaches have been criticized for attempting to describe complex human experiences within narrowly defined parameters. Many people may not fit easily into a type A or B person. A longitudinal study carried out by Ragland and Brand found that as predicted by Friedman Type A men were more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. Interestingly, though, in a follow up to their study, they found that of the men who survived coronary events Type A men died at a rate much lower than type B men. The major problem with the Type A and Type B theory is actually determining which factors are influencing coronary heart disease. Other research has investigated the way that type A people experience and cope with stress, Page 12

13 which is the major factor leading to coronary heart disease. Health psychology in action. The current status of the coronary prone behavior pattern. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 86 7, Coronary heart disease mortality in the Western Collaborative Group Study. Follow-up experience of 22 years. American Journal of Epidemiology, 3, Multivariate prediction of coronary heart disease during 8. The American Journal of Cardiology, 37 6, How to reference this article: Page 13

14 Chapter 9 : A/B Personality Test The personality type theory is based on the behavioral pattern portrayed by an individual. Personality types classify people broadly according to their behavioral traits, attitudes, preferences, way of life, etc. To remain healthy, it becomes important to recognize the unhealthy traits of type A personality. Type A personalities are often viewed as rude and impatient workaholics. The stigma of being viewed by society as overly competitive, abrupt and angry may cause those who exhibit the type A personality traits to feel hostility in the social environment. It is important to understand that being an extreme type A personality does not mean that one has an inherent bad personality. Type A personality is normal, but like many stressful lifestyles it can lead to health problems down the road. Type A personality traits are also referred to as type A behavior. These are the characteristics that a person with type A personalities exhibit in their actions and attitudes. The person with type A personality traits often feels an urgent need to complete a task. This type of time sensitive urgency is relative to impatience. In turn, those around the type A personality traits may confuse the time-urgent sensitivity as bad manners or boorish behavior. The concern for the type A personality is that they are unable to control the time sensitive urges. There is a need to move quicker and achieve maximum amounts of activity in a minimum amount of time. This can be very frustrating to the type A personality. The extreme type A may feel controlled by time and urgency and are often unable to overcome the need to continue at a faster pace. Type A personalities also exhibit aggressiveness and are easily frustrated with a situation. This is again relative to the consistent urgency. For example, people who do not exhibit the type A personality characteristics may be irked that a flat tire caused them to be late. The person with type A personality behavior may find that they are unable to control their infuriation at the situation that prevents he or she from controlling the situation in a time sensitive fashion. This is because there is a strong and urgent need to be continuously in motion to reach a specific amount of performance. Type A personality behavior also includes a desire to be competitive. This can be any event or situation where the type A personality feels as though they must complete a task above and beyond the normal or perceived actions of others. For example, a type A personality does not simply work to complete a project, they work to complete a project better, faster and with a greater passion than other personalities would. This is called a strong-achievement orientation. The more sense of achievement and accomplishment a type A personality gains, the more this person will express an urgent need to achieve desired goals. The idea of a type A personality having a strong-achievement orientation is both one of environment and internal stressors. It is difficult for a type A personality to ignore the sense of time urgency. Furthermore, a type A personality is highly reactive to the environment and social structure they function within. This includes jobs which require constant and continuous projects with time-sensitivity and urgency. The type A personality values efficiency and achievement because the workplace or educational environment they function within places a positive value on these characteristics. Additional stressors found in competitive workplace environments also create more stress for the type A personality, which in turn forces the type A to react to the stressor. This is sometimes a negative reaction of verbal or physical intensity and frustration. These internal characteristic of time-sensitivity, urgency and strong-achievement orientation have external impacts. Many type A personality traits develop physical characteristics that exemplify their internal stress. This can be a facial tension such as tight lips or clenched jaw, clicking of the tongue and grinding of the teeth. Other physical characteristics include dark circles under the eyes due to lack of adequate rest and facial or lip sweating. There are multiple negative health effects associated with type A personalities. The enhanced sense of urgency and heightened reactions to environmental stressors begin to have acute and life-threatening health impacts. Type A personalities often suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure, and has been medically documented as a strong risk factor for most type A personalities. Heart disease is another risk factor for the type A personality. This is directly related to the constant stress and hypertension the type A is exposed to. The type A personality who experiences high and constant levels of stress can also experience metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, according to the American Heart Association, is an increased risk of coronary heart disease and plaque build up on the artery walls. Metabolic syndrome is also related to insulin resistance, Page 14

15 which can cause diabetes. Overcoming and preventing the negative health effects of a type A personality begins with making minor lifestyle changes. Changing the negative behaviors and mindset that cause the stressful type A personality is not always an easy task, but it can be accomplished. First, the time-sensitivity and urgency must be recognized as a characteristic of the type A behavior. Once the type A personality understands that this is simply a behavioral reaction to an external stressor the clock, it becomes easier to changes the attitude towards time. Begin to regard time as a friendly guide rather than a point of animosity and stress. When time moves too slow or too fast and this causes stress, type A personalities can practice calming down by counting breaths. This removes some of the urgency through distraction. Focusing on breathing, particularly in situations where the type A personalities feels trapped, can help maintain a calm focus and remove some of the stress that comes with the time-sensitive urgency. Competition and strong-achievement orientation are desirable traits in many careers, but for the extreme type A they can be signs of an overly stressful environment. Evaluate the current career to see if the completive environment is a positive or negative stressor. A positive stressor is encouraging. A negative stressor causes one to feel additional complication and fear of failure. Learn to be forgiving when a specific deadline is not met, or first place is not reached. Importantly, a type A personality must also realize that not every action or project is a competition. Spend time doing an activity simply for the sake of doing an activity, rather than to achieve a goal. For example, take fifteen minutes during lunch to unwind, take a short nap, or simply listen to relaxing music. Hug the kids and show more compassion. Anger, frustration and hostility are the most severe type A personality characteristics. Keep a verbal or written journal of the moments when these characteristics overcome common sense and politeness. This will help the type A personality recognize the most stressful actions and times of the day or week. Use this journal to express the strong emotions and allow for forgiveness of others. Recognize what items in the journal are illogical. For example, the extremely slow driver only equates to a few minor moments of the day, but for an extreme type A personality these moments are important. Another hard concept for an extreme type A personality to comprehend is giving frequent and quality affection. Affection can be viewed as a time-waster by a type A personality. View affection and conversation with family and friends as building an emotional support network. Make a game of how many hugs and enjoyable calm moments with others can be created in a single day. The constant sense of urgency and timeliness combined with a desire to compete and achieve that a type A personality feels can have drastic consequences on their health. Learning to forgive errors, to find enjoyment and overcome frustration can improve the lifestyle and health of a type A personality. Which Career Suits You Best? According to our parents, we should already be on our designated career path and be at least halfway to success already. To find out what you should be doing from or not, take this career quiz now. Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! You should see it in your inbox very soon. Please enter a valid address Subscribe. Page 15