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This paper describes a research study investigating the personality constructs associated with the Type A-B model and the clinical paradigms developed by Karen Horney (1950) and Timothy Leary (1957). The investigation focused on identifying significant clusterings of specific personality types on the Type A-B continuum (e.g., expansive and self-effacing types) and three indicators of psychosocial maladjustment: (1) rigidity of behavioral role; (2) rigidity of self-perceived role; and (3) discrepancy between behavioral role and self-perceived role. It was hypothesized that the extreme groups on the Type A-B continuum (A1 and B4) would represent specific personality types and tendencies toward significant increases in maladjustment in comparison to the moderate groups (A2 and B3). Hence, the more moderate groups would have more variability in terms of a blending of types and more flexibility in psychosocial behaviors.
Based on the pioneering research of Friedman and Rosenman, the Type A pattern of personality has been significantly related to the increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) (Rosenman et al., 1975). The investigation of this topic by hundreds of researchers using retrospective and prospective methods has resulted in a vast collection of data reviewed by Minc (1965), Jenkins (1975, 1976), Friedman and Rosenman (1974), Glass (1977), Price (1982), Matthews and Haynes (1986), and Fischman (1987).
This pattern of traits is characterized as a predispositional set of response tendencies associated with perfectionistic, aggressive, impatient, speedy, and controlling behaviors. Described as an “action-emotion complex,” these response tendencies may take on a quiescent form or remain hidden, depending upon the immediate perception of the individual toward the environment. If the environment is perceived as challenging, competitive, conflicted in terms of task issues, or a threat to his or her prestige and