Behavioral assessment of interpersonal skill among Type A and B college students

The Type A behavior pattern (TABP) is a coronary-prone response style characterized by intense ambition, competition, preoccupation with deadlines, and time-urgency. Anger may be the most detrimental aspect of the overall behavior pattern, but few studies have examined how Type As display anger in daily interactions. This study assessed anger expression as well as general conversational skill among Type As and Bs in representative situations. Type As and Bs were also classified based on degree of self-reported anger with skill differences examined among these four groups as well. Behavioral assessment occurred during challenging and non challenging role play scenes and a deception period in which confederates interrupted subjects' progress on a task. Observers, confederates, and subjects rated anxiety, anger, assertiveness, general demeanor, overall social skill, and interest during these conditions. Type As expressed anger less appropriately than Bs in challenging scenes but had greater overall social skill and made more interesting partners across conditions. Type As and Bs with minimal anger received better ratings than those with greater anger. Discussion addresses clinical significance of the TABP and directions for future assessment/treatment of coronary-prone behavior.