Type A behavior pattern and the self-evaluation of abilities

Empirical tests of the self-appraisal model

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6202254
AutoresMichael J Strube, Michael Strube (0000-0002-4731-8142), Susan M Boland, Susan Boland
Año1987
Volumen52
Número5
Páginas956-974
Fecha de publicación1987-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315
EditorialAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037//0022-3514.52.5.956
PMID3585704
OpenAlexW2065414679
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas21
Referencias citadas6

The self-appraisal model proposes that Type A behavior reflects active attempts to generate diagnostic information about abilities, particularly in situations that evoke high uncertainty. In Study 1, subjects were provided feedback indicating high or low uncertainty about underlying abilities in two domains. When subjects were more uncertain of their ability in one domain than in the other, Jenkins-Activity-Survey-defined Type As (but not Type Bs) subsequently constructed tests that were biased to assess the more uncertain domain. Study 2 examined postfailure performance. The model holds that Type As perform poorly because they suspend information gathering when faced with evidence that requisite abilities are absent. Results indicated that deficits emerged only if Type As believed that a second task assessed the same abilities as the initial task on which they failed. A final study examined social comparison among Type As and Bs. Results indicated that Type As engaged in social comparison to obtain diagnostic information, primarily when they were uncertain of their ability levels.

Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Domain (mathematical analysis · Empirical research · Epistemology · Self evaluation · Statistics · Task (project management · Type (biology · Applied Psychology · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Health and Well-being Studies · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology