Community Chat

[spindlegirl]

I don't think it's so clear cut and I think it's mostly the way we're born not anything to do with the "new generation" or  what parents did.

Article:

"“She’s just really... Type A.”

We use it in conversation all the time, generally followed by a knowing chuckle or nod of the head.

“Type A” has become a pop psychology buzzword and catch-all descriptor for the more driven, anxiety-prone go-getters among us.

We all have some sense of what it suggests, but the actual meaning and legitimacy of Type A Behavior theory are less well-known.

Coined in the late 1950s, the term “Type A” originated when cardiologist Meyer Friedman observed a relationship between incidences of heart disease and personality type — namely, that those most likely to suffer a cardiac event also tended to have, in his estimation, more driven, impatient, high-stress personalities.

Though Friedman first proposed Type A theory in his writings in various academic journals in the ‘50s, the theory become popularized when his book with Dr. Ray H. Rosenman, Type A Behavior And Your Heart, was published in 1974 and soon afterwards become a bestseller.

Since then, “Type A Behavior” (TAB) has become psychology parlance for a loose set of tendencies related to highly competitive people.

Today, the term might seem like a relic of classical psychology, but it is still accepted as a valid personality theory, with some caveats.

We should think of Type A as a spectrum of behaviors and traits rather than a label or distinction from a “Type B” personality, explains John Schaubroeck, professor of psychology and management at Michigan State University.

“Type A is a shorthand way of referring to a predisposition that people have,” Schaubroeck tells the Huffington Post.

“It’s not like there are ‘Type A’s’ and then there are ‘Type B’s,’ but there is a continuum that as you’re more on the Type A side of the spectrum, you’re more driven, and tend to be impatient and competitive and get irritated easily by impediments to your progress on things.”

While the overarching classification of Type A personalities may be a bit of an oversimplification, the spectrum can still be a helpful psychological tool to help you identify your own strengths and weaknesses.

Here are 16 signs that you’re a little (or a lot) Type A. ........."

16 signs described at the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/are-you-a-type-a-or-type-_n_4549312.html

[itiswhatitis]

---

@Moretofollow wrote:

I think with each new generation, parents are raising their kids so differently that type A's are not as prevalent as they once were.  Managers I speak to in various walks of life, no longer have that verve, that special something that motivates them and I miss that.  I think it takes great enthusiasm, vigor and energy to move mountains......to assess and take charge as well as having great speaking skills so that you know without a doubt where they stand.  

In your place of employment do you find type A's or instead just mediocre, lackluster management.  

At Sam's Club today while shopping, the young manager I met definitely fell into the mediocre/lackluster category.  

@Lovingq 

---

I believe the majority of our personality traits are inherent at birth.  It is up to the parents to help children to understand how to make adjustments to some of their inherent traits to make it in society.  Yes, parents can extoll the virtues of altruism,  utilitaranism, religion, as well as individuation and the normal mores for our society.  These DO have a positive affect on children.  However, most of a child's personality is set at birth.  This is just my opinion. 

[itiswhatitis]

---

@suzyQ3 wrote:

I wasn't aware that a true Type A personality was necessarily an asset. It depends upon how one deals with it.

But no, I don't think that people today are more mediocre. I think that line of thought is right in step with "Get off my lawn" sentiments.

I meet people of my age who seem rather mellow -- to be kind -- and people who are in their 20s who seem quite confident and assured and work hard.

---

Alpha Males is one example.  It is neither a hindrance nor an asset.  It just is.  @suzyQ3

[ROMARY]

I've known the personality who started out very laid back, extremely slow motion, and who eventually ended up, many years later, to be a pacing, moderately impatient personality.  Can't sit while waiting; in constant motion.  Always appears to having to be 'somewhere else'.  Could it be a mid-life or later-in-life personality change?  Just wondering..........  ...............  Or, maybe just too much strong coffee! 

[spindlegirl]

---

@ROMARY wrote:

I've known the personality who started out very laid back, extremely slow motion, and who eventually ended up, many years later, to be a pacing, moderately impatient personality.  Can't sit while waiting; in constant motion.  Always appears to having to be 'somewhere else'.  Could it be a mid-life or later-in-life personality change?  Just wondering..........

---

Caffeine? 

Lol.

Sounds like a not so positive change.

[ROMARY]

Jenny'smom:  I just edited my post (at the same time while you were posting) and added 'Maybe just too much strong coffee'.............

[ROMARY]

Hey, I just thought of something!   I've seen drivers almost run down elderly folks crossing the street just to zip over to our local St*rbucks!  Could there be a correlation between strong coffee and Type A personalities?   Or the anticipation of having that 'fix'. ?   Would be an interesting study/research project.

[ROMARY]

Jenny'smom:  Thanks for the link.  I went on over to Huff Post and read the article.   You know, sometimes we (I)  kind of 'guess' about certain subjects, and 'low and behold', some of our thoughts are out there in writing...........

[Desert Lily]

My father, one of my brothers, my child, and I are all high achievers (I don't believe there is such a thing as an "over" achiever), workaholics, perfectionists, retentive, goal-oriented, and often sleepless people. I think being Type A - or a related meaning - is a positive attribute. I believe being Type B - or a related meaning - is also a positive attribute. And every other "Type" is positive. It's part of what makes us unique individuals and I think we should value all. My father was a corporate executive, my brother made a major contribution to his industry, and my child is working on a Ph.D. in "rocket science." I do the majority of work in my department, but I would never impose my work motivation, if that's what it is, on anyone else. We don't like to relax or go on vacations that don't involve learning or active stimuli. It makes us uncomfortable to not have our minds working on something. We need to be busy, and we have many pans in the fire at once. However, I don't think Type A is synonomous with being an extrovert, as my family members mentioned and I are introverts.

[Desertdi]

Well, I am a laid-back, old-hippie accountant type...............