Type A, Type B, and the Kleinian positions: Do they relate to similar processes?

Abstract

This article examines the idea that there is a dynamic link between 2 quite separately formulated typologies of personality-namely the Kleinian typology according to paranoidschizoid (PS) and depressive positions and the Type A-Type B typology proposed by M. Friedman and R. Rosenman in 1959. The article provides an account of the nature of these 2 typologies and examines the nature of the convergence that specifically exists between Type A personality and the PS position. The highly pressured, competitive, covertly and overtly hostile, as well as highly conscientious and cynical, propensities of the Type A personality are examined as manifestations of PS functioning. The traits are manifestations of the kinds of defenses that occur during the PS position-namely splitting, denial, and omnipotence.Theories of personality primarily attempt to account for individual differences in the psychological states of people. All of the theories that have evolved in psychology to date address themselves to the manner in which personality manifests itself; that is, each theory provides an account of the way in which people objectively and noticeably differ from each other in

The Type B Behavior Pattern as a Moderating Variable of the Relationship between Stressor Chronicity and Health Behavior

“…self-reinforcement: see e.g. Gramzow et al, 2004;O'Connor, 2002). While these findings lend indirect support for the notion that Type B individuals often report feeling healthier than their Type A counterparts (e.g.…”

“…Unfortunately, very little research has been carried out on those characterized as Type B, although some attempts have been made to conceptualize it (e.g. Day et al, 2005;Kaplan, 1992;O'Connor, 2002). For example, from a trait perspective, the data suggests that it may be related to various non-clinical, factor models such as the Five-Factor (FFM: e.g.…”