Key study - Freidman and Rosenman

• aim

  -is to investigate the hypothesis that type A individuals were more likely to develop CHD, than type B.
• Procedure

  Volunteer sample of 3200 men was used in a longitudinal study which included a structured interview and observation. Assessed personality type and health status.

  -PP were categorised into Type A,B and X which is a mix of A and B.
• Results

  -275 PP developed CHD during eight and a half years and 70% of which had been classified as Type A.

  -The difference in the incidence of CHD between two groups was independent of lifestyle factors like smoking which increases chances of CHD.
• Conclusion

  -Type A behaviour links to CHD as increases individuals experience of stress which increases vulnerability to CHD.

  -High stress hormone level suggests they experience more stress.
• Evaluation - Problems with external validity

  -Used all male sample and is unknown if the results are generalisable to women.

  -They may have different ways of dealing with stress and may be less vulnerable. Lacks population validity.

  -Suggests coping strategies are just as important as personality.
• Evaluation - Not experimental study

  -Cause and effect relationship cannot be established.

  -Other studies have failed to replicate relationship between type A behaviour and CHD.
• Evaluation - Individual differences not taken into consideration

  -may be lifestyle factors and individual differences that affect vulnerability to CHD.

  -Type A personality may be more inclined to smoke or have alcohol as an attempt to calm and relax after a stressful situation.

  -Some variables in the study may have been missed. Relationship between personality type and stress related illness can't be established.
• + Recent studies have found similar results and relationships.

  -Meta analysis by Myrtek found an association between Type A behaviour and CHD.

  -Suggests aspects of personality and illness are linked.