Organizational Behavior

Difference between Type A and Type B Personality

A simple division of preference or personality type is into Type A and Type B, which is based broadly on anxiety and stress levels.

Type A

The study revealed that a person with a Type A personality is more likely to be preoccupied with social status, an accomplishment in life, and self-esteem. This person is often domineering, impatient, and prone or quick to anger. This personality type was found to be associated with the higher risk of developing heart ailments compared to another type. Type A people mainly have the following behavior and outlook in life:

  • These people are high-achievers. They are great at multi-tasking unrelated duties and jobs. They usually perform beyond par.
  • They are constantly in a race to achieve higher goals. When goals are attained, they set much loftier aspirations. They can’t rest on their laurels.
  • They find it difficult to accept failure. It is never one of their realities. For them, others fail, they don’t.
  • They feel like time is an opponent that they have to beat every day. They will work their butts off to exhaustion.
  • This severe sense of urgency makes them edgy. Relaxation is difficult for them.
  • They need to compete. If there is no obvious competition, they create one.
  • They are driven people, usually self-driven. Their stress levels are generally high.

Type B

The study, which was completed in nearly a decade, concluded that Type B people have the lower incidence of heart problems. Type B personalities are indulgent and tolerant. They also reported higher levels of satisfaction in life. Typically, these people have the as following characteristics:

  • They know their abilities and work steadily toward their goals. They enjoy their achievements.
  • They are not too stressed out to excel. They can be disappointed when they fall short of their goals, but they are not devastated. They are more accepting of failures.
  • They enjoy games and competitions, not for the sole objective of winning but for the love of the game.
  • They are reflective and innovative. They allow themselves to explore and fail, if necessary.
  • They are even-tempered.