Type A personality refers to a range of traits, including competitiveness, aggression, and urgency. People with Type A personality traits tend to be impulsive, perfectionist, goal-oriented, and well-suited to a fast-paced environment.
In the 50s of the 20th century, cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman came up with the concept of type A personality traits. They believe that these features are associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Although this claim is controversial, many researchers still use the concept of Type A personality in their research on burnout, stress, and medical risks.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a Type A personality structure. Understanding your personality can help you better understand and manage your reactions and behaviors.
Type a with Other Personality Traits
You may have heard people say that they have a “Type A” or “Type B” personality by the way. But researchers have actually identified four personality types, each associated with specific behavior patterns. They include:
- Type A: People with a Type A personality are driven, outgoing, and rule-oriented. They tend to feel more stressed and dissatisfied with their careers and have high expectations of themselves and others.
- Type B: Type B personality traits include creativity, confusion, and emotional stability. People with a Type B personality tend to be calmer and more laid-back than people with a Type A personality, but they are also more likely to wander. They are less stressed, less driven by extrinsic rewards, and usually work steadily for their own satisfaction.
- Type C: People with a Type C personality are usually perfectionists, detail-oriented, analytical, and logical. They also tend to be negative and conflict-avoidant, preferring to “keep the peace” rather than expressing their emotions or concerns positively. The “C” in type C stands for “cancer-susceptible” because some researchers hypothesize that people who don’t have a healthy emotional outlet have a higher risk of developing cancer.
- Type D: Type D personality traits include introversion and negative emotions. The “D” in Type D stands for “pain.” People with these traits tend to have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. They are also usually empathetic, loyal, and hardworking.
Can You Have a Type a Personality?
Some researchers believe that “Type A personality” is a personality type, or rather a category that a person belongs to throughout their life. People who agree with this view tend to believe that type A personality traits are innate rather than developed over time.
However, many clinicians and researchers believe that types A, B, C, and D refer to patterns of behavior that can be learned. These characteristics may change over time to suit different environments and needs. For example, one study found that medical undergraduates were more likely to meet criteria for type A personality traits in their final year than in their first year.
Type a Personality Traits
The investigators found the following Type A personality traits:
- Aggressive
- Intolerance
- Competitiveness
- Extroversion
- Impulse
- perfectionism
- Urgency
- Goal-oriented nature
Signs That You Have Type a Personality Traits
If you think you might have a Type A personality, there are a few ways to tell if you can. Here are some behaviors that may indicate type A personality traits:
- You lack patience in your daily life and have a hard time tolerating procrastination.
- You’re primarily driven by promises of external rewards, such as potential raises or promotions.
- You hate making mistakes.
- You are confident and dare to speak your mind.
- You set high standards for others and for yourself.
- If you don’t reach your goal, you will feel very miserable.
- You can manage a lot of responsibilities at the same time.
- You struggle with anger or irritability, and you have a hard time coping with stress, especially work-related stress.
- Others call you a “workaholic.”
- You are often dissatisfied with your job or often consider changing jobs or careers.
Benefits of Type a Personality Traits
As with most aspects of an individual’s personality, Type A traits have both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the benefits of having a Type A personality:
- Ability to multitask: Since people with Type A personalities are goal-oriented, they often take on a variety of different roles and responsibilities.
- High Achievement: People with Type A personalities are usually ambitious, status-conscious, and eager to succeed. These traits can help them achieve great things in life, school, and work.
- Deadline-driven: Type A personality traits are associated with attention to detail, especially when it comes to meeting deadlines. If you have these traits, you are less likely to procrastinate.
- Leadership qualities: Many people with Type A personality traits are bold and confident, which can help them make decisions, take a strong stance, and take on leadership roles.
Disadvantages of Type a Personality Traits
There are also some potential drawbacks to type A personality traits, such as:
- Job dissatisfaction: Many people with Type A personality traits take their careers very seriously. While this can help them achieve their goals, it can also lead to job dissatisfaction in some cases.
- Burnout: Type A people tend to be workaholic and are themselves when they don’t reach their goals. This can lead to long-term work stress and burnout.
- Stress: Type A personality traits are associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and nervousness. In particular, people with these traits tend to lack emotional coping skills when faced with stress.
- Higher risk of health problems: Some studies have shown that type A personality traits are associated with a higher risk of certain health complications, such as heart disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and high blood pressure (high blood pressure).
Coping with Type a Personality Traits
People with Type A personalities tend to be prone to anxiety, overwork, and burnout. If you recognize that you have type A personality traits, there are several ways you can avoid or manage the effects of chronic stress:
- Practice mindfulness techniques. Manage stress through relaxation exercises like deep breathing or mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Prioritize sleep. A good night’s sleep is key to preventing burnout, reducing stress, and avoiding anger and conflict. Keep your room dark, comfortable, and cool, and practice good sleep habits by turning off your phone and computer at least two hours before bedtime.
- Keep a journal. Keeping a journal can help you slow down and think more carefully about your thoughts. Try to write down three positive things at the end of each day, or address one “problem” (such as recurring negative thoughts) with 10 minutes of free stream-of-consciousness writing.
- Spend time working on a hobby that you enjoy. Don’t spend all your time working or thinking about work. Make sure to participate in fun activities designed to relax or make social connections.
- Take advantage of burnout prevention programs. If your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or other burnout prevention resources, consider using them, especially if you’re prone to work-related stress.
- Change jobs if necessary. It has been found that it is especially important for people with Type A personalities to have a sense of control over their work life. If you feel like your voice isn’t being heard, or if you’re not reaching your full potential at work, consider finding someone new.Seek professional help if needed. If you need help with mental health symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, contact a healthcare provider for a referral to a psychotherapist. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can help you develop healthier coping skills.
At Last
Typical Type A personality traits include competitiveness, ambition, extroversion, impatience, and self-confidence. Type A people also tend to adhere to strict deadlines, act with a sense of urgency, and associate self-esteem with external achievement.
The disadvantages of Type A personality traits include workaholism, burnout, stress, anxiety, and job dissatisfaction. If you have some of these characteristics, you can take steps to reduce your risk of chronic stress. Practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, and engaging in your favorite hobbies can help reduce burnout and promote relaxation.
