Psychophysiological activation, reactivity, and recovery in Type A and Type B scorers when in a stressful laboratory situation.

21 university students participated in a study to assess intergroup differences in psychophysiological activation, reactivity, and recovery. Findings support the hypothesis that 12 Type A scorers showed a greater activation and reactivity than the 9 Type B scorers. Type A scorers needed more time to recover normal psychophysiological levels than Type B scorers. We propose that the "fast activation-slow recovery" profile is characteristic of Type A scorers. The "fast activation-fast recovery" profile is characteristic of Type B-scoring college students.