Type A behavior pattern, frustration and aggression

Abstract

Experimental studies have shown Type A Behavior Pattern individuals to be more aggressive than Type B's. The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether increased frustration in response to task failure offers a partial explanation for Type A individual's higher levels of aggression. The study examined the influence of Task Load, Sex and Behavior Pattern on Frustration and Aggression. There were 86 subjects, 38 males and 48 females, from the Introductory Psychology Subject Pool. Type A subjects were those who scored 8 or greater on the Jenkins Activity Survey Form T. There were 2 Task Load levels; 5 and 25 problem conditions. The degree of task failure was greater in the 25 problem condition. Degree of frustration was obtained through self-report and aggression was measured by a questionnaire rating the experimenter. Type A's were found to become both more frustrated and aggressive in the 25 problem condition than in the 5 problem condition. Clinical ramifications of these findings are discussed.