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Cardiovascular unwinding, type A behaviour pattern and locus of control
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, North East London Polytechnic, UK.
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Individuals with Type A behavior and internal locus of control experienced less heart rate decline during a shock threat. This suggests personality traits influence physiological responses to stress.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Stress and threat perception can significantly impact physiological responses.
- Individual differences in personality and control beliefs may modulate these responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between personality traits (Type A behavior pattern, locus of control) and physiological responses to a threat of shock.
- To examine heart rate changes during a controlled stressor.
Main Methods:
- Three studies involved exposing subjects to a three-minute threat of possible shock.
- Heart rate was monitored before, during, and after the stressor exposure.
- Statistical analysis was used to correlate personality measures with heart rate changes.
Main Results:
- On average, subjects exhibited higher heart rates before the trial than after.
- Heart rate was higher during the initial minute of exposure compared to the final minute.
- Type A behavior pattern and internal locus of control were associated with a smaller decline in heart rate.
Conclusions:
- Personality factors, specifically Type A behavior and internal locus of control, are linked to attenuated physiological stress responses.
- These findings highlight the role of individual psychological characteristics in moderating the psychophysiological impact of perceived threat.