The dimensionality of Type A behavior within a stressful work simulation.
The present study was conducted to examine the dimensionality of overt Type A behaviors elicited in a simulated stressful work environment. University students played a managerial role while being subjected to time and work-load pressures, and completed the Survey of Work Styles (SWS; Jackson & Gray, 1989). Eighteen behaviors, coded by two raters based on audiovisual recordings, yielded relatively high interrater reliabilities. Principal components analysis revealed four primary factors: Hurriedness, Irritability, Tension of the Lower Extremities, and Restlessness. These factors contribute to an understanding of Type A behavior in that they are the first to be derived from a purely observational approach rather than a combination of observational and self-report methods. Consistent with previous research, differential correlations between the factors and the SWS subscales supported a multi-dimensional interpretation of the Type A behavior pattern. Present findings are compared to those of previous studies of Type A dimensionality.
Tett
R P
RP
Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Bobocel
D R
DR
Hafer
C
C
Lees
M C
MC
Smith
C A
CA
Jackson
D N
DN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014434:Type A Personality; D014937:Work