25/09/2021
What Is a Type A Personality?
Type A Personality Traits
There is no single definition of a Type A personality, but people with these tendencies often tend to be:
Fast-Paced: Researchers suggest that the Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP) is characterized by a sense of urgency. Those who exhibit this pattern are often impatient and get frustrated easily by things like having to wait in line. They often walk quickly, interrupt others when speaking, and feel very pressed for time.
Competitive: People with this personality type have a strong need to win. This doesn’t apply only to situations that are genuinely competitive in nature. They often view everyday situations, including relationships and work, as being competitive.
Aggressive: People with Type A personalities are often described as abrupt, blunt, rude, or even hostile. They tend to be short-tempered and are irritated easily.
High-Achieving: Type A’s are driven by a need for achievement. They are hard-working but tend to base their self-worth on their accomplishments.
Other Type A Characteristics
Other qualities associated with the Type A personality include:
A tendency to multitask
Highly ambitious
Perfectionistic
Very organized and orderly
High stress levels
Very focused
Goal-oriented
Outgoing
Status-conscious
Anxious
Proactive
In general, if you have a Type A personality, you probably tend to be highly motivated and hard-working. People may describe you as driven and highly committed to your goals, but you may also come off as impatient or overly competitive at times.
RELATED: Are You an Extrovert or Introvert?
Causes
Like other personality characteristics, Type A traits are not caused by a single factor. Some of the things that contribute to a Type A personality include:
Genetics
Temperament
Environmental influences
It is important to note that while some personality traits are more connected to innate temperament, researchers believe that many Type A traits are a reflection of how people react to certain situations and environmental factors.
For example, people who are naturally somewhat impatient or perfectionist may feel even more pressured to perform well when they are in a high-stress job.
