The Impact of Type A Behavior Pattern on Role Overload-induced Stress and Performance Attributions

Abstract

A controlled laboratory experiment investigated the effects of Type A behavior pattern on role overload-induced stress and performance attributions. Although previous correlation studies have concluded that Type A individuals are more likely to feel stressed than Type B individuals, the present study did notfind this. The current study reports the alternative hypothesis that differences in reported stress between Type A and Type B individuals may occur because the Type A seeks out situations that are objectively more stressful. In contrast to the stress findings, performance attributions varied between Type A and Type B individuals. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications.