Behavioral assessment of the type A behavior pattern.

The present study attempted to assess systematically a set of behavioral subcomponents associated with the Type A behavior pattern. Sixty middle-aged men underwent the structured interview (SI) and a repeated version of the SI after a four-month interval. A high degree of interrater reliability was established for a number of behavioral components including speed and volume of speech, motoric activity, expiratory sighs, response latency, interruptions, unevenness of speech, plosive words, and potential for hostility. In general, these behaviors were stable over the four-month interval, although they did not all distinguish Type As from Type Bs. Only four behaviors successfully discriminated Type As and Bs at both interview sessions: speed of speech, volume of speech, number of interruptions, and potential for hostility. The results are discussed in terms of how these behavioral subcomponents may contribute to increased risk of premature coronary disease.