Individual differences in physiological responses and type A behavior pattern.
K Oishi1, M Kamimura, T Nigorikawa
1Health and Sports Sciences Institute, Senshu University. QWK02752@niftyserve.or.jp
Applied Human Science : Journal of Physiological Anthropology
|August 27, 1999
Summary
Type A behavior pattern (TABP) individuals show heightened sympathetic nerve activity under stress. Psychophysiological responses, particularly heart rate variability and respiratory rate, correlate with TABP traits during demanding cognitive tasks.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Behavioral Science
- Cardiology
Background:
- Individual differences in psychophysiological responses are linked to behavioral patterns.
- The Type A behavior pattern (TABP) is characterized by aggression, competitiveness, and time urgency.
- Understanding the physiological underpinnings of TABP is crucial for stress management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between individual psychophysiological responses and TABP.
- To examine how TABP influences physiological reactions during various cognitive and auditory stressors.
- To identify specific physiological markers associated with TABP traits.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen healthy adults (10 males, 6 females) participated.
- Psychophysiological measures included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), skin resistance response (SRR), and eyeblinks.
- TABP tendency was assessed using the KG's Daily Life Questionnaire.
- Participants underwent mental arithmetic, Uchida-Kraepelin test, music listening, and white noise exposure.
Main Results:
- Mental arithmetic and the UK test increased HR, L/H ratio, and RR, while decreasing high frequency power (HF).
- Eyeblinks increased during mental arithmetic and decreased during the UK test.
- Significant correlations were found between TABP scores and the L/H ratio (MA: r=0.591, UK: r=0.577) and RR (MA: r=-0.576, UK: r=-0.511).
- Individual differences in psychophysiological responses were substantial across all participants.
Conclusions:
- TABP is associated with distinct psychophysiological responses during stress.
- The L/H ratio and RR emerged as significant physiological correlates of TABP.
- Sympathetic nerve activity may be elevated in TABP individuals under stress compared to Type B individuals.
Related Concept Videos
00:54What is Behavior?
Behaviors are actions that an organism engages in—they can be related to finding food, reproducing, defending against threats, and many other possible actions. Behaviors include activities related to the environment around the animal—such as migration—as well as social interactions within a species or population. Many behaviors involve motor output—that is, muscle movements—while others involve less visible actions, such as learning.
01:03Pharmacodynamic Responses: Different Types
Pharmacodynamics is the scientific study of a drug's biochemical or physiological influence on the body. It categorizes responses into continuous, discrete (or categorical), and time-to-event outcomes. Continuous responses yield numerical values within a certain range, such as blood pressure readings and blood glucose levels, gauging the efficacy of antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs. Discrete responses can be binary, indicating whether a drug has an effect or not, or ordinal, exemplifying...
01:19The Behavioral Perspective on Personality
Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished. Radical...
01:29Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
Hans and Sybil Eysenck developed a widely recognized theory of personality, which emphasizes the role of temperament and genetically based differences in shaping individual traits. Their theory posits that biological factors primarily determine personality and can be understood through two main dimensions: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
01:23Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
Personality types, particularly Type A and Type B, significantly influence how individuals respond to stress. These personality distinctions are marked by varying levels of ambition, competitiveness, and coping styles, all of which shape an individual's resilience to stressors.
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as "workaholics," they...
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as "workaholics," they...
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...