Abstract
This study set out to examine the relationship between the Type A/B behavior pattern and reaction to negative outcomes. It was predicted that whereas the B types would show clear differences in their reactions to controllable versus uncontrollable situations, A types would show significantly less differentiation. Over 160 subjects completed two A-type questionnaires and an attributional control questionnaire with either six controllable or six uncontrollable situations. Results revealed, as predicted, that A and B types differed mainly in their reactions to uncontrollable situations, whereas A types perceived more causal responsibility and more moral responsibility, and reported more anger with self. These results are discussed within the context of the research on attributional style, depression and Type A behavior.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blumental, J., McKee, D., Williams, R., & Harvey, T. (1981). Assessment of conceptual tempo in the Type A behavior pattern.Journal of Personality Assessment, 45 44–51.
Bortner, R. (1969). A short rating scale as a potential measure of pattern A behavior.Journal of Chronic Disorders, 22 87–91.
Brehm, J. (1966).A theory of psychological reactance. New York: Academic Press.
Brewin, C. (1982). Adaptive aspects of self-blame in coping with accidental injury. In C. Antaki & C. Brewin (Eds.),Attributions and psychological change. London: Academic Press.
Brewin, C. (1984a). Attributions for industrial accidents: Their relationship to rehabilitation outcome.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2 156–164.
Brewin, C. (1984b). Internal attribution and self-esteem in depression: A theoretical note. Manuscript in preparation.
Brewin, C., Hillard, A., & Furnham, A. (1984).The Attributional Control Questionnaire. Unpublished manuscript.
Brunson, B., & Matthews, K. (1981). The A type coronary-prone behavior pattern and reactions to uncontrollable stress.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 40 906–918.
Byrne, D. (1981). Type A behavior, life-events and myocardial infarction: Independent or related risk factors.British Journal of Medical Psychology, 54 371–377.
Carlsmith, J., & Gross, A. (1969). Some effects of guilt on compliance.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 11 232–239.
Carver, C. (1980). Perceived coercion, resistance to persuasion and the Type A behavior pattern.Journal of Research in Personality, 19 467–481.
Carver, C., Coleman, A., & Glass, D. (1976). The coronary-prone behavior pattern and the suppression of fatigue on a treadmill test.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33 460–466.
Carver, C., & Glass, D. (1978). Coronary-prone behavior pattern and interpersonal aggression.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36 361–366.
Eysenck, H. J., & Fulker, D. (1982). The components of the Type A behaviour and its genetic determinants.Activitas Nervosa Supplement, 3 111–125.
Freedman, J., Wallington, S., & Bless, E. (1967). Compliance without pressure: The effects of guilt.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 7 117–124.
Furnham, A. (1983). The type A behaviour pattern, mental health and health locus of control beliefs.Social Science and Medicine, 17 1569–1572.
Glass, D. (Ed.). (1977).Behavior patterns, stress and coronary disease. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Erlbaum, 1977.
Greene, W., Goldstein, S., & Moss, A. (1972). Psychological aspects of sudden death: A preliminary report.Archives of International Medicine, 129 725–731.
Grimm, L., & Yarnold, P. (1984). Performance standards and the Type A behavior pattern.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 8 59–66.
Irvine, J., Lyle, R., & Allen, R. (1982). Type A personality as psychopathology.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 26 183–189.
Jenkins, C., Zyzanski, S., & Rosenman, R. (1978). Coronary-prone behavior: One pattern or several.Psychosomatic Medicine, 40 25–44.
Lovalls, W., & Pishkin, V. (1980). Type A behavior, self-involvement, automatic activity, and the traits of neuroticism and extraversion.Psychosomatic Medicine, 42 329–335.
Matthews, K. (1982). Psychological perspectives on the Type A behavior pattern.Psychological Bulletin, 91 293–323.
Norwack, K., & Sassenrath, J. (1980). Coronary-prone behavior, locus of control and anxiety.Psychological Reports, 47 359–364.
Pittner, M., & Houston, B. (1980). Response to stress, cognitive coping strategies and the type A behavior pattern.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39 147–157.
Sanders, G., & Malkis, F. (1982). Type A behavior, need for control and reactions to group participation.Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 30 71–86.
Seligman, M., Abramson, L., Semmel, A., & von Baeyer, C. (1979). Depressive attributional style.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88 242–247.
Shaver, K. (1975).An introduction to attribution processes. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Winthrop.
Somes, G., Garrity, T., & Marx, M. (1981). The relationship of coronary-prone behavior pattern to the health of college students at varying levels of recent life change.Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, 25 265–572.
Weidner, G., & Matthews, K. (1978). Reported physical symptoms elicited by unpredictable events and the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36 1213–1220.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Furnham, A., Hillard, A. & Brewin, C.R. Type a behavior pattern and attributions of responsibility. Motiv Emot 9, 39–51 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991549
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991549