Type-A and Type-B People

 

Vocabulary

broad	setback	satisfaction
status	goal (2)	aggressive
refer to	ambitious	in order to
limit	achieve	push themselves
relish	category	relentlessly
hyper	multitask	challenging
avoid	deadline	waste time
utilize	burnout	recognition
urgent	sense of	commitment
delay	impatient	on schedule
upset	frustrate	encounter
minor	sensitive	accomplish
tend to	tantrum	subordinate
blame	lash out	despondent
flipside	criticism	superior (2)
fawn	laid-back	overcharged
lazy	extreme	admiration
excel	restless	worked up
put in	vocation	approach (2)
steady	gravitate	counseling
mishap	attitude	even-tempered
per se	obsession	regardless
allow	outcome	reflective (2)
staid	rigid (2)	daydream
savor	hectic	conscious

 
 

 
 

Type-A and Type-B People

In the 1950’s, scientists Ray Rosenman and Meyer Friedman identified two broad categories of people.

They differed in terms of personality, character and behavior, and were referred to as Type-A and Type-B individuals.

Type-A People Overall

According to Rosenman and Friedman’s theory, Type-A persons tend to be very status-conscious and ambitious. They continually set new goals.

In order to achieve them and feel a sense of satisfaction, they drive themselves relentlessly, pushing themselves to the limit.

Type-As relish competition — and most importantly — winning, along with all the accolades (rewards, recognition, respect and admiration) that come with it.

Type-As at Work

At the workplace, Type-A employees take on numerous, challenging responsibilities. They busy themselves to meet deadlines by multitasking and rigidly organizing their workday, utilizing every second and avoid wasting any time.

Setbacks and Delays

With this sense of urgency and impatience, Type-As become frustrated with delays.

If there encounter mishaps, they go into a tantrum or become despondent. Even minor setbacks can upset them.

Relation with Others

If colleagues are around when things don’t go right, Type-As may blame or even lash out at them.

On the flip side, they are sensitive to criticism by coworkers because they feel that they are always right.

The one person Type-As workers will not argue with is their boss. Indeed, they put in a lot of effort to please their superiors, even behaving in a fawning manner towards them.

And when they are bosses, Type-As expect their subordinates to put in a 110% effort.

Stress

Since Type-A individuals find it difficult to accept failure, they often experience high levels of stress and burnout.

Nonetheless, Type-As have a hard time relaxing because they become restless and get bored easily.

In essence, they are the classical “workaholics”.

Type-Bs

In terms of behavior and attitude, Type-B persons are the exact opposite of Type-As.

The extreme, absolute Type-B individual is someone who is lazy, doesn’t care about anything and does absolutely nothing.

In reality, the majority of Type-Bs do have careers and hobbies.

However, unlike the Type-As obsession with perfectionism and excelling, Type-B individuals take a more laid-back approach.

Careers

Vocation-wise, they tend to gravitate towards careers involving creativity: art, writing, architecture, counseling, therapy, teaching.

Network and computer systems managers, university professors, scientists, and judges are more likely to be Type-Bs as well.

Goals

Type-Bs are even-tempered people that work steadily towards their goals, and are not overcharged like Type-As.

Type-Bs also feel a sense of satisfaction from accomplishing a project, though they don’t get worked up when things don’t go according to plan.

Competition

When competing with others, Type-Bs may focus less on winning per se, and more on savoring the game, regardless of the outcome.

These people like daydreaming and exploring new ideas and concepts. They are often reflective, and think of the “outer and inner world”. They allow themselves to try and fail.

Overall, whereas Type-As are more hyper, and even aggressive, in their outlook and behavior, Type-B people are more staid, and lead less hectic lives.

Questions

1. Type-A individuals are very hard working. True or false? Do they want to be successful, rich and famous?

2. Which is more important for them in a competition, having fun or winning?

3. Type-As like to chat with coworkers and have coffee breaks. Is this correct or wrong? Do they sit on the sofa and watch TV at home? How do they spend their free time?

4. If a delivery comes late, they ignore it. Yes or no?

5. Do Type-As have good relationships with their coworkers? How do their bosses feel about them?

6. What kinds of occupations do Type-Bs prefer?

7. Describe Type-B people’s approach to work and life.

8. Is this text biased and subjective, or is it neutral and objective?

 

A. Are you a Type-A or Type-B person, somewhere in between or mixed?

B. I have friends or coworkers who are Type-A. Yes or no? Do you know anyone who is Type-B? Are people in your company mostly Type-A, Type-B or in somewhere in the middle?

C. Do you prefer to work or deal with Type-As, Type-Bs or somewhere in between or mixed?

D. Who do you think are more “successful” or earns more money?

E. What can you say about Type-As or Type-Bs among men and women, different industries and different countries?

F. Should people try to be Type-A, Type-B or eclectic (a mixture or combination of both)?