Type A behaviour pattern, choice of active coping strategy and cardiovascular activity in relation to threat of shock

Abstract

Thirty-three subjects were allowed to choose between actively monitoring a visual channel for warning of a possible aversive event, or passively watching a distracting visual channel. Subjects could switch between channels as little or as often as they wished. Heart-rate was recorded throughout the experiment. In accordance with hypothesis, Type A subjects, as measured by the Framingham Scale, chose the active coping strategy more consistently than Type B subjects. Type A subjects also exhibited higher heart-rate while anticipating the start of the experiment. The results are discussed with reference to the literature on Type A and controllability and on active coping and cardiovascular activity.