Biological - Personality Types

Friedman and Rosenman distinguished between Type A and Type B personalities in the 1950s and 60s.

Type A characteristics

- Impatient
- Competitive
- High achiever
- Alert
- Self-critical
- Cynical
- Hostile
- Feel like they don't have enough time to do everything
- Do several things at one time
- Don't like waiting

Type B characteristics

- Calm
- Relaxed
- Laid-back
- Do one thing at once
- Make time for friends and family
- Less competitive and have hobbies for leisure rather than competition

Modifying Type A behaviour

- Life is an unfinished work
- Refrain from interrupting
- Do one thing at a time
- Let others do their work
- Protect your time
- Learn to wait patiently
- Take breaks
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Smile
- Compliment people
- Take time to be alone
- Cultivate intimate relationships

Research Evidence

Rosenman (1974) 
- Interviewed 3000 men and categorised them as Type A, Type B and Type X.
- Sample followed up over 8 1/2 years.
- 257 had CHD.
- 70% of these were type A.

Rosenman concluded that there was a link between personality and stress.

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Kobasa found that people with a hardy personality are better at coping with stress. She characterised hardy people as having 'the 3 Cs':

1. Control- Hardy people see themselves as being in control of their lives, rather than external factors. 

2. Commitment- Hardy people have a strong sense of purpose.

3. Challenge- Hardy people see stressors as challenges to overcome rather than threats. 

Research:

-Kobasa supported her theory by using a correlational design using a sample of 800 male managers and executives in white-collar jobs.
-Used questionnaires to assess the 3 Cs and levels of physical exercise and social support
-They all had stressful jobs, but those with a hardy personality (high scores on questionnaires) were much less likely to get ill.
-She concluded that the hardy personality may help protect people from the negative effects of stress.

Evaluation

+ Supported by research.

+ Useful to explain how some soldiers remain healthy under war-related stress.

- Hard to measure.

- Self-report methods trigger social desirability bias.

- Based on white, middle-class men - not generalisable. 

- Suggested to simply be a low negative affectivity.