Daily activities of college students and the construct validity of the Jenkins Activity Survey

To examine the everyday behavioral correlates of Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) scores, 70 college students recorded the nature of their activities for 1 week. Several behavioral differences between individuals classified as Type A and Type B on the basis of JAS scores were observed. These differences were consistent with most definitions of the Type A behavior pattern. Type As spent more time in class, studying, and participating in religious services and less time socializing with friends than Type Bs. Type A individuals were more likely to be fraternity or sorority members and to report higher career aspirations than Type Bs. The degree to which Type As' diligent school-related behavior could be attributed to greater academic demands was examined. It is proposed that the JAS may provide a better index of a personality predisposition to exhibit coronary-prone behavior given the appropriate circumstances than an index of coronary-prone behavior per se.