Type A vs Type B Personality Compared
Compare Type A and Type B behavior patterns, learn the limits of these labels, and see how they differ from PersonalityPro's A/T suffix and type codes.
By Charles · Published · Updated
Type A historically describes a behavior pattern associated with urgency, impatience and competitiveness; Type B describes a less urgent contrast. These broad labels are shorthand for tendencies, not complete descriptions of people or reliable predictions of their futures.
Before treating any result as a verdict, see how accurate personality tests are. You can also take the free PersonalityPro test as a prompt for reflection; it does not measure the historical Type A/B distinction.
Key facts
- A 1983 research paper describes Type A in terms including competitiveness, time urgency and impatience, and questions whether its proposed components always go together.
- A 1992 review identified problems in the theory and assessment of the Type A pattern. A label alone is not a complete assessment.
- PersonalityPro's A/T suffix uses Assertive and Turbulent in its own framework. It is a different distinction from Type A versus Type B; see our theory.
Type A and Type B side by side
The contrast below describes the historical shorthand, not rules for how an individual must behave. The 1983 paper describes several proposed components of Type A and asks whether they belong together.
| Dimension | Type A shorthand | Type B contrast |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Greater time urgency and impatience | Less emphasis on urgency |
| Competition | Greater emphasis on competing and achievement | A less competitive approach |
| Pace | A tendency toward a hurried style | A more relaxed pace |
| What the label can tell you | A broad description of a proposed pattern | A broad contrast, not a complete personality profile |
Neither column determines whether someone is organized, capable, kind or successful. People can be ambitious without feeling rushed, or calm in one setting and impatient in another.
What might the contrast look like?
Imagine two people planning a shared project. One wants to set milestones immediately and checks the clock often; the other prefers to discuss options before setting a schedule. Those are examples of behavior in one situation, not evidence that either person belongs permanently in a category.
For a useful conversation, describe what you need: “Can we agree on a deadline?” or “Can we spend ten minutes comparing options first?” This makes the particular decision easier to discuss without assuming a label explains the other person's motives.
Where did Type A and Type B come from?
The distinction grew from research on behavior patterns and heart disease associated with physicians Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman. A National Academies review notes that early studies supported an association between Type A behavior and coronary heart disease, while later studies did not consistently confirm it. Those mixed findings do not let a label predict an individual's health.
Researchers also questioned the construct itself. The 1992 review describes problems with theory and assessment, while the 1983 paper asks whether the proposed traits actually occur together. A quick online checklist may use different questions or definitions from a research measure. Ask what it measures and what evidence supports its interpretation.
Can you be a mix of Type A and Type B?
You can recognize aspects of both descriptions. Someone might enjoy competition during a game but take an unhurried approach to a weekend plan. The example is illustrative; it does not assign a type. The 1983 paper specifically cautions against assuming all the proposed components cluster together.
Instead of asking which box fits perfectly, notice a specific situation: What felt urgent? Was the deadline real? Did you want a different approach? Revisit the answer when circumstances change. For a broader discussion of recurring tendencies and context, read temperament vs personality.
Is Type A the same as Assertive in an A/T result?
No. In the historical distinction, Type A is contrasted with Type B. In PersonalityPro's framework, the A/T suffix refers to Assertive and Turbulent. The shared letter does not make the two systems equivalent, and a result in one does not establish a result in the other. Read our theory for the framework behind PersonalityPro's terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Type A and Type B personality?
Type A historically describes a pattern associated with urgency, impatience and competition; Type B describes a less urgent contrast. These labels do not capture a whole person. Research paper.
Can someone have both Type A and Type B traits?
Yes. A person may recognize different tendencies in different situations, and the components associated with Type A do not necessarily all occur together. Research paper.
Is Type A the same as the A in an A/T suffix?
No. Type A is part of a historical A/B behavior distinction; the A in PersonalityPro's A/T suffix means Assertive, contrasted with Turbulent. See our theory.
Can a personality test tell me whether I am Type A or Type B?
That depends on what the test measures and how it was validated. PersonalityPro is a self-reflection tool and does not claim to assess the historical Type A/B pattern. See how accurate personality tests are.
Take the free PersonalityPro test to explore its own framework and reflect on your preferences.