1. Psychology Notes: Personality Factors:
Personality is made up of characteristics and trait which give individuals identities
making us different from others. Each person fits into one of the following categories.
 'Type A': time and urgency in activities. Competitive and hostile and an
increased risk of heart disease.
 'Type B': healthy personality. Non- competitive often self conscious and has
quiet relaxed attitudes.
Key study- Friedman and Roseman (1974):
To see weather personality affects cardiovascular disease and stress.
3,500 healthy middle ages men
12 year longitudinal study followed by a questionnaire on impatience,
competitiveness, motivation and success
People classified at type A where most likely to develop CHD.
How people perceive stress affects illness rates.
Evaluation of key study:
Individual differences are considered.
It was a longitudinal study.
A large sample was used.
Support from other studies.
Men only so can be generalised to women.
Some type B develop CHD.
Research filed to replicate findings.
Type A is a broad category.
Hardiness: healthy personality type categorised by control, commitment and self-improvement
of stress.
Study-Kobasa (1989): having a hardy personality lowers physiological arousal with
stressors and has a reduction in stress related illnesses.
Overall evaluation:
Miller reviewed and confirmed results.
Practical applications, stress management for 'type A' personality type.
Research found can disagree with Friedman and Roseman.
CHD occurs in type B too.
Too many characteristics are in type such as hostility.
Uncontrolled factors lead to CHD such as diet smoking and blood pressure.