The "Type A" personality: what's it mean to you?

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Jayo
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10 Jul 2012, 8:44 pm

Some people describe Type A personalities as being sticklers for doing everything by the letter, but that sounds more Aspie-like; I tend to accept the description of a Type A being brash, impatient, wants people to get right to the point and wants certain things done right away without over-analyzing etc. The kind of person who would honk as soon as the light turns green, basically.

I've met people in the past, particularly two people in the workplace, who were definitely Type A all the way. My experience has been that this personality type is very toxic to an Aspie!! They definitely do not mix well. I would even describe Type A personalities as bullies, almost in a military kind of way but not necessarily sadistic i.e. I don't regard them as sociopaths. However, I do believe that Type A personalities have a narcissistic edge to them; that they enjoy hearing the sound of their voice and having others "bow down" before them.

As for the question whether an Aspie can be a Type A personality, I think yes, and at times I've exhibited those traits when I wasn't in a good mood, but I wouldn't say they're pervasive for me. But it doesn't feel right, simply because of the "glass houses" mentality; why would I rebuke people for seeming to lack common sense or not understanding my meaning from the get-go, when I've frustrated so many people with the same. A solid type A personality is somebody who's "with it", somebody who's "on the ball" and expects other people to live up to the excessive standards they set for themselves.



Delphiki
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10 Jul 2012, 8:46 pm

I believe that placing people personalities into just two groups is oversimplification.


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Jayo
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10 Jul 2012, 8:57 pm

Delphiki wrote:
I believe that placing people personalities into just two groups is oversimplification.


Huh? There's nothing in my original post that said these personalities were exhaustive. It was just a comparison of one and another! There are all kinds of personalities out there but the intent of the discussion was just to focus on these two.



Delphiki
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10 Jul 2012, 9:11 pm

Jayo wrote:
Delphiki wrote:
I believe that placing people personalities into just two groups is oversimplification.


Huh? There's nothing in my original post that said these personalities were exhaustive. It was just a comparison of one and another! There are all kinds of personalities out there but the intent of the discussion was just to focus on these two.
I read the title and the OP, the title asked what I thought of the "Type A" personality. That is what I thought of it.


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AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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10 Jul 2012, 11:17 pm

I think you've described it pretty well, a person who's impatient and who's likely to honk as soon as the light turns green. Basically, someone who's a first-rate assh*le, to put it bluntly. Which might be advantageous in some careers and jobs (although I still think there's got to be a better way)

I've heard two further things. Type A's tend to be very number oriented, salary made, number of professional publications, etc.

And then there's the "free-floating hostility." Type A's tend to take something which is socially ambiguous and perceive it as hostile on the other person's part.



outofplace
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11 Jul 2012, 1:04 am

I tend not to mix well with them, either because I don't like being belittled by someone with a superiority complex or my own need to be in control of the situation will typically clash with theirs. This is especially true if they are in charge over me as I prefer to be left alone and not micromanaged, something type As seem to be unable to do.


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nick007
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11 Jul 2012, 2:23 am

I got along well with a couple type As in the workplace because I was a good worker who never gooffed off & was eager to please. One of my managers was a defiantly strong type A. Others said he was very gruff but I liked him more than some of the other managers lots liked because he was direct with me, never gave me mixed orders, left me alone to do my job except when he needed something, & when there was a problem or misunderstanding he always asked me Why or similar question giving me a chance to explain & then he apologized to me after Being around type As in a more casual setting would be really taxing thou


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ooo
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13 Jul 2012, 5:16 am

Quote:
Type A

The theory describes a Type A individual as ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status conscious, can be sensitive, care for other people, are truthful, impatient, always try to help others, take on more than they can handle, want other people to get to the point, proactive, and obsessed with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving "workaholics" who multi-task, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence.

In his 1996 book, Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment, Friedman suggests that Type A behavior is expressed in three major symptoms: free-floating hostility, which can be triggered by even minor incidents; time urgency and impatience, which causes irritation and exasperation usually described as being "short-fused"; and a competitive drive, which causes stress and an achievement-driven mentality. The first of these symptoms is believed to be covert and therefore less observable, while the other two are more overt. [5]

Type B

The theory describes Type B individuals as perfect contrast to those with Type A personalities. People with Type B personalities are generally apathetic, patient, relaxed, easy-going, no sense of time schedule, having poor organization skills, and at times lacking an overriding sense of urgency.

Type C

The two most frequently noted characteristics of cancer-prone personality are found in Type C personality. Type C personalities are described as suppressing emotional expression, and denying strong emotional reactions; failing to cope successfully with stress, with a reaction of giving up, linked with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. [6].



Jayo
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13 Jul 2012, 9:11 pm

uh-oh. I'm beginning to worry that the Asperger personality fits the "Type C" mold more than the other two!! !
Well, if that makes me more susceptible to cancer than the others - so be it. It's got to make me less susceptible to heart disease than the Type A personality, that's for sure!! !

ooo wrote:
Quote:
Type A

The theory describes a Type A individual as ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status conscious, can be sensitive, care for other people, are truthful, impatient, always try to help others, take on more than they can handle, want other people to get to the point, proactive, and obsessed with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving "workaholics" who multi-task, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence.

In his 1996 book, Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment, Friedman suggests that Type A behavior is expressed in three major symptoms: free-floating hostility, which can be triggered by even minor incidents; time urgency and impatience, which causes irritation and exasperation usually described as being "short-fused"; and a competitive drive, which causes stress and an achievement-driven mentality. The first of these symptoms is believed to be covert and therefore less observable, while the other two are more overt. [5]

Type B

The theory describes Type B individuals as perfect contrast to those with Type A personalities. People with Type B personalities are generally apathetic, patient, relaxed, easy-going, no sense of time schedule, having poor organization skills, and at times lacking an overriding sense of urgency.

Type C

The two most frequently noted characteristics of cancer-prone personality are found in Type C personality. Type C personalities are described as suppressing emotional expression, and denying strong emotional reactions; failing to cope successfully with stress, with a reaction of giving up, linked with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. [6].



Rascal77s
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13 Jul 2012, 9:33 pm

AardvarkGoodSwimmer wrote:
I think you've described it pretty well, a person who's impatient and who's likely to honk as soon as the light turns green.


Damn, all this time I thought honking at a green was a good thing.



Ericys
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14 Jul 2012, 9:38 am

ooo wrote:
Quote:
Type A

The theory describes a Type A individual as ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status conscious, can be sensitive, care for other people, are truthful, impatient, always try to help others, take on more than they can handle, want other people to get to the point, proactive, and obsessed with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving "workaholics" who multi-task, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence.

In his 1996 book, Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment, Friedman suggests that Type A behavior is expressed in three major symptoms: free-floating hostility, which can be triggered by even minor incidents; time urgency and impatience, which causes irritation and exasperation usually described as being "short-fused"; and a competitive drive, which causes stress and an achievement-driven mentality. The first of these symptoms is believed to be covert and therefore less observable, while the other two are more overt. [5]

Type B

The theory describes Type B individuals as perfect contrast to those with Type A personalities. People with Type B personalities are generally apathetic, patient, relaxed, easy-going, no sense of time schedule, having poor organization skills, and at times lacking an overriding sense of urgency.

Type C

The two most frequently noted characteristics of cancer-prone personality are found in Type C personality. Type C personalities are described as suppressing emotional expression, and denying strong emotional reactions; failing to cope successfully with stress, with a reaction of giving up, linked with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. [6].


Rigidly organized - It has to be a certain way.
Care for other people/try to help others – Changing the world for the better
Truthful – Lying does not get one anywhere ‘good’.
Time management – Daily routine is scheduled, 357.5 hours of library time, calculated for the school year.
Patient – Waiting (if it’s scheduled)
Relaxed – Do not interfere with my schedule
Denying strong emotional reaction - Can’t think with all of that confusion in my head
Failing to cope – If one cannot see a future, there is no future.



Ettina
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14 Jul 2012, 1:59 pm

Actually, it's only the tendency to frequent anger/hostility that increases heart attack risk, the other Type A traits have no effect on health. But they do tend to go together.



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14 Jul 2012, 2:05 pm

I'm a Type K personality. Those of you who have known me for the past few years will probably get what I mean. :wink:


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DrPenguin
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15 Jul 2012, 11:58 am

Jayo wrote:
Some people describe Type A personalities as being sticklers for doing everything by the letter, but that sounds more Aspie-like; I tend to accept the description of a Type A being brash, impatient, wants people to get right to the point and wants certain things done right away without over-analyzing etc. The kind of person who would honk as soon as the light turns green, basically.

I've met people in the past, particularly two people in the workplace, who were definitely Type A all the way. My experience has been that this personality type is very toxic to an Aspie!! They definitely do not mix well. I would even describe Type A personalities as bullies, almost in a military kind of way but not necessarily sadistic i.e. I don't regard them as sociopaths. However, I do believe that Type A personalities have a narcissistic edge to them; that they enjoy hearing the sound of their voice and having others "bow down" before them.

As for the question whether an Aspie can be a Type A personality, I think yes, and at times I've exhibited those traits when I wasn't in a good mood, but I wouldn't say they're pervasive for me. But it doesn't feel right, simply because of the "glass houses" mentality; why would I rebuke people for seeming to lack common sense or not understanding my meaning from the get-go, when I've frustrated so many people with the same. A solid type A personality is somebody who's "with it", somebody who's "on the ball" and expects other people to live up to the excessive standards they set for themselves.


You'd be amazed at how many top people in London's banking and financial industries have sociopathic tendencies even some diagnosis it does help in there career. I tended not to like them in general (different values) I still dislike people with type A personalities more but would say all people move through the types as there situation/mood changes. Put a lab coat on me and I could pass for a type A easily but outside I do tend towards B/C although at the moment could do with a cup of T.


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Joe90
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15 Jul 2012, 12:18 pm

I don't think I have this ''Type A'' personality, because I don't do everything by the book.


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Jayo
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16 Jul 2012, 7:47 pm

DrPenguin wrote:

You'd be amazed at how many top people in London's banking and financial industries have sociopathic tendencies even some diagnosis it does help in there career. I tended not to like them in general (different values) I still dislike people with type A personalities more but would say all people move through the types as there situation/mood changes. Put a lab coat on me and I could pass for a type A easily but outside I do tend towards B/C although at the moment could do with a cup of T.


Hehe. I don't think that's just a London thing, but a New York thing or whichever large and prominent city. Those cities are super-expensive to live in, and as regrettable as it is, sociopathic tendencies are often viewed by the bearer as the best means to survival (and beyond...wayyy beyond!) many people speculate, and probably quite accurately, that such personalities were behind the sub-prime crisis and crash that the USA experienced not too long ago. Most likely such individuals have a discernible Type A tinge to their personality too.