[Elaboration of an ethogram for the diagnosis of Pattern "A"]

In order to develop a technique which allows the detection of Pattern A (P.A.) we present in this paper a series of steps for constructing an observation grill (ethogram) which allows for the quantification of behavior in situation of structured interview. The behavioral units making up the final ethogram are derived from inter-item correlations taken from a population of 48 subjects who had suffered heart attacks. The observations on this population permit an inclusion score in the P.A. These observations also confirm that the P.A. present a risk factor which is independent of classical risk factors. A significative positive correlation with work stress has been found showing, in accordance with the view of Friedman and Rosenman that the P.A. corresponds to a particular behavioral pattern which is dependent on the work environment.