Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 25.3 Characteristics Typical of those Exhibiting Type A Behavior
Characteristic Type
Description
Physical
Speaking quickly or with a loud voice; exhibiting tension
in the facial muscles
Attitudinal and emotional
Becoming hostile, impatient, angry, or aggressive
Motivational
Seeking achievement, motivated, competitive, ambitious
Behavioral
Alert, hyperactive
Cognitive
Tendency toward controlling situations
levels) alone did not account for the increases seen in this disease (Friedman and Rosenman, 1957).
Results from the Framingham Heart Study data (Haynes et al., 1982) and other research (e.g.,
Rosenman et al., 1975) established a significant link between Type A behavior and increased incidence
of CHD. However, this positive association has not been found in some follow-up studies, such as the
Aspirin Myocardian Infarction Study (Shekelle et al., 1985a) and the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention
Trial (Shekelle et al., 1985b).
A limited number of studies have focused on links between Type A personality and MSDs. Flodmark
and Aase's (1992) survey of blue-collar workers found that those reporting symptoms of MSDs had more
pronounced Type A behaviors than those who did not report any symptoms. Further, tenderness in the
neck and shoulder regions was found by Salminen et al. (1991) to be greater in those exhibiting Type A
behavior, leading these researchers to postulate that this was due to higher levels of muscle activity exhib-
ited by this group. Finally, Glasscock et al. (2003) found significantly higher levels of elbow flexor
muscle activity in those with Type A behavior, though the effect was a function of gender. Collectively,
these studies suggest that a link may exist between behavior due to personality preferences and muscle
functioning.
The Jenkins Activity Survey, or JAS, was developed to measure Type A behavior (Jenkins et al., 1979).
This assessment resulted from a study in which a group of males having had experienced a heart attack
scored significantly higher on the survey than did the control group (Jenkins et al., 1971). The JAS is a
self-administered, multiple-choice questionnaire that can be completed in 20 to 30 min. In addition to a
rating on the Type A scale, it yields scores on three subscales: speed and impatience, job involvement, and
being hard-driving and competitive. Estimates of test-retest reliability for the JAS, for intervals from 6
months to 4 yr, ranged from between 0.60 and 0.70.
25.2.5 Five Factor Model
The Five Factor Model (FFM), also known as the Big Five model, has recently been achieving widespread
support, because it includes the basic personality traits generally agreed upon by researchers in the field.
The FFM operates on the belief that most human personality traits can be grouped into five broad
dimensions of personality. This model has been studied extensively, most notably by Goldberg (1993)
and McCrae and Costa (1999).
The constructs of the FFM are detailed in Table 25.4. The extraversion factor relates to one's need for
stimulation and interpersonal interaction. Agreeableness is the factor assessing one's preference in how
they think, feel, and interact with others. Conscientiousness refers to an individuals' level of organization,
motivation, and persistence. The neuroticism factor relates to one's degree of emotional stability and how
they are affected by stress. Finally, openness to experience is meant to reflect one's preference for explor-
ing the unfamiliar. The characteristics included in the FFM are believed to be innate and stable over one's
lifetime. Several of these factors, such as extraversion
introversion and neuroticism, are incorporated
/
into other personality assessments.
The NEO-PI Five-Factor Inventory (Costa and McCrae, 1992) is the questionnaire used to assess per-
sonality according to the FFM. It comprises 300 items, in which respondents answer statements reflecting
their views on a five-point scale, from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Shorter forms of this
Search WWH ::
Custom Search