Toward an animal model of type A behavior.
Time estimation and dominance tests were used to differentiate the behavior of Mongolian gerbils to be analogous to Type A and Type B human behavior. Preliminary classification of animals as "Type A" or "B" was based upon differential performance on DRL 20-sec and DRL 60-sec reinforcement schedules. To retain their preliminary classification, Type A and Type B animals were required to be dominant and subordinate, respectively, in matches with each of three same-sex animals of opposite behavioral classification. Following classification, breeding pairs were constituted and classification procedures were repeated with two succeeding generations. Animals that exhibited Type A timing "won" significantly more dominance matches than did Type B animals. Incidence rates of Type A and Type B behavior in the two selectively bred generations were significantly greater than frequencies in the original stock generation. The usefulness of the present animal model for investigating the association of Type A behavior with coronary heart disease is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008297:Male; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013998:Time Perception; D014434:Type A Personality