Desirability of control versus locus of control: relationship to paralinguistics in the type A interview.
David Glass has suggested that need for control is an important dimension underlying the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern. However, this hypothesis has never been directly tested. Findings from the present study supported the hypothesis by showing a significant relationship between measures of desire for control and the Type A pattern as assessed by both the structured interview and questionnaire methods, and with Type A voice stylistics. In contrast, locus of control scores correlated only with the questionnaire-based measure of Type A, and were unrelated to desire for control scores, interview-defined Type A, and Type A noncontent speech characteristics. Some evidence suggests the hypothesis that autonomic nervous system arousal can create psychological discomfort that may serve to increase both need for control and Type A vocal stylistics. In addition, such vocal mannerisms may actually facilitate control of the social environment. Evidence implicating genetic factors in these processes is discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012930:Social Dominance; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014434:Type A Personality; D014831:Voice