Personality types: Type A and type B traits Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is the difference between type A and type B personalities Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — By Beth Sissons on September 29, 2022Type A and type B are two main personality categories. People with type A personalities may be ambitious, competitive, and aggressive. People with type B personalities may be patient, flexible, and laid-back. Personality refers to the pattern of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that make each individual who they are. Personality can affect how people interact with others, their approach to work, and how they respond to stressful events. A person may have a Type A or B personality depending on the key characteristics they display. These traits may impact their work or studies and their interactions with others. They may also affect their health. This article examines the differences in type A and B personalities, key traits, and what the research suggests about personality types. What is a type A personality Share on PinterestCharles Gullung/Getty ImagesA person with a type A personality may be ambitious and hardworking and display characteristics such as aggression, lack of patience, and determination. If a person, or others around them, describes themselves as a “workaholic,” they may be more likely to have a type A personality. Type A personalities may take on multiple tasks at once and frequently take on extra responsibilities to achieve or succeed. Type A personalities may be very goal-orientated and work toward goals and deadlines at a fast pace, as though they are racing against time. Type A people may easily feel frustration and anger and may be more vulnerable to stress. Type A traits Traits of a type A personality may include:having an aggressive naturebeing focused on achievementbeing hardworkingbeing confidentbeing easily irritated or intolerantbeing determinedbeing unfriendly or hostilebeing good at multitaskinghaving a sense of urgencybeing highly competitivebeing impatientbeing motivated and highly drivenbeing energeticbeing hasty or approaching activities at a fast pacehaving low emotional intelligencebeing controllingbeing stubborn or having fixed opinions What is a type B personality A type B personality is the opposite in many ways of a type A personality. People with a type B personality tend to be easygoing and more laid-back in nature. People with a type B personality may work steadily toward a goal without the sense of urgency a type A personality may display. Type B personalities usually do not feel the need to prove their abilities to others or the need to show superiority. People with a type B personality usually have low levels of competitiveness and do not become frustrated easily. People with a type B personality may be friendly and get on easily with others, showing low levels of hostility or aggression. Type B traits Traits of a type B personality can include:being peacefulbeing relaxedbeing easygoingbeing stress-free or less prone to stresshaving a lack of sense of urgency to complete tasks and procrastinatinghaving a lack of conflict with othersbeing stablebeing even-temperedbeing flexible and adaptable, adjusting to change easilybeing less competitivebeing able to approach activities and tasks at a slower pace Where does the concept originate The concept of type A and B personality types originated in the United States in the 1970s with cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman. Friedman and Rosenman used the term “behavior pattern A” to describe a particular pattern of emotions and actions people displayed, which people later referred to as type A personality. Their research suggested a link between type A personality and coronary heart disease, but later investigations show that much of the research linking the two received funding from tobacco companies. How can I find out which personality type I am Researchers use certain interviews and rating scales to determine whether people have type A or B behavior patterns, including:Friedman and Rosenman questions, which may be similar to this online questionnaireJenkins Activity SurveyFramingham Type A ScaleBortner Rating Scale People may be able to access some of these questionnaires online or through a healthcare professional. People can also take a range of personality tests to give them an idea of which personality traits they have. What the research says Research has revealed how personality types may affect different areas of a person’s life. Understanding personality types or tendencies may help people better navigate individual challenges with their studies, work, or health. Work and academic achievement A 2019 study compared academic achievement between university students with type A and type B personalities. Both personality types had characteristics that were both beneficial and detrimental to academic achievement. Certain characteristics of type A personality, such as being hardworking and goal-orientated, increased academic achievement. Higher levels of hostility and impatience had a negative correlation to academic achievement. Certain characteristics of a type B personality, such as being easygoing, having a lack of focus on study, and procrastination, linked to a decrease in academic achievement. Patience, taking tasks one by one, and sociability linked to an increase in academic achievement. Overall, the study suggests students with type A personalities may achieve higher academic achievements. Health According to a 2017 study, people with a type A personality may be more at risk of stress and burnout than people with a type B personality. This may be due to the different approaches people with type A or type B personalities take to deal with and manage stress. People with type B personalities may be more adaptive and tolerant and more capable of managing stress, reducing the risk of stress-related health issues. A 2019 study looked at the effects that mental and physical stress had on the heart in people with type A and B personality types. The study concluded that mental stress may be harmful to both personality types, whereas physical stress may be beneficial to people with type A personalities. Learn about the link between stress and heart attack. Outlook According to the American Psychological Association (APA), there is no solid evidence to suggest a link between type A personality and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Research does suggest that hostility, a trait of type A personality, may link to the development of heart disease. According to a 2018 review, impatience and hostility are two of the main components of a type A personality and may increase the risk of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. Learn more about high blood pressure. Summary A and B personality types refer to key characteristics and patterns of behavior a person has that may affect their approach to work, interactions with others, and response to stressors. People with a type A personality may be ambitious, hardworking, competitive, and have a sense of urgency toward deadlines. Type A individuals may display aggression and intolerance, and may provoke easily. People with a type B personality may be easygoing and laid-back and approach tasks with less urgency. Type B personality traits include patience, flexibility, and an even temper. People with a type B personality may be more prone to procrastination or distraction from a task. Certain traits of a type A personality, such as hostility, impatience, and anger, may be risk factors for high blood pressure and heart disease. People with these personality traits may want to develop coping strategies to allow them to manage stress in a healthy way to help prevent stress-related health issues. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022Mental HealthPsychology / Psychiatrypersonalitytypes 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Aabida, A., et al. (2019). Influence of type A and type B personality on academic achievement of university students.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345437921_Influence_of_Type_A_and_Type_B_Personality_on_Academic_Achievement_of_University_StudentsBenjamin, A. J., Jr. (2020). Type A/B personalities.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316936177_Type_AB_PersonalitiesBurg, M. M., et al. (2022). If not us, who? If not now, when? Paths forward in science, patient care, and training to maximize the impact of cardiovascular behavioral medicine.https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2023-01995-001.htmlNaz, S., et al. (2017). Comparative analytical study of teachers' personality type (A and B) to study the consequences of ostracism.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hira-Khan-21/publication/341447759_Comparative_Analytical_Study_of_Teachers'_Personality_Type_A_and_B_to_Study_the_Consequences_of_Ostracism/links/5ec19848299bf1c09ac4b386/Comparative-Analytical-Study-of-Teachers-Personality-Type-A-and-B-to-Study-the-Consequences-of-Ostracism.pdfPersonality. (n.d.).https://www.apa.org/topics/personalityPriyanka, M., et al. (2018). The association of impatience, hostility and hypertension: A review [Abstract].https://www.proquest.com/openview/f19d4d514497a132163981401c1a51b9/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=5347679Type A personality. (n.d.).https://dictionary.apa.org/type-a-personalityType B personality. (n.d.).https://dictionary.apa.org/type-b-personalityYadav, A., et al. (2019). Comparison of heart rate variability during physical and mental stress in type 'A' and type 'B' personality: An interventional study.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/K-Gaur-Gaur/publication/343039489_Comparison_of_Heart_Rate_Variability_during_Physical_and_Mental_Stress_in_Type_'A'_and_Type_'B'_personality_An_Interventional_Study/links/5f127694299bf1e548c0c324/Comparison-of-Heart-Rate-Variability-during-Physical-and-Mental-Stress-in-Type-A-and-Type-B-personality-An-Interventional-Study.pdfFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — By Beth Sissons on September 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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