Expression of interpersonal aggression by angered and nonangered persons with the type A and type B behavior patterns

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The Type A behavior pattern is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
• Understanding the behavioral manifestations of Type A behavior, such as aggression, is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether Type A individuals exhibit greater aggression than Type B individuals.
• To examine the moderating effect of anger on the relationship between behavior pattern and aggression.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven subjects classified as Type A or Type B behavior pattern were recruited.
• Participants were either angered or not angered during a problem-solving task.
• Aggression was measured by the opportunity to punish or reward a confederate in a subsequent learning experiment.

Main Results:

• Angered subjects exhibited significantly higher physiological arousal (pulse rate, blood pressure).
• Non-angered Type A subjects delivered more punishment to the confederate than non-angered Type B subjects.
• No significant difference in punishment levels was observed between angered Type A and Type B subjects.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral evidence suggests Type A individuals display aggression, particularly when not provoked.
• Anger appears to attenuate the behavioral differences in aggression between Type A and Type B individuals.
• Attributions of responsibility may mediate the expression of aggression in Type A and Type B individuals.