What the TABP measures
Originally discovered by cardiologists noticing that the upholstery on their waiting room chairs was worn out only on the front edges (because highly stressed patients literally "sat on the edge of their seats"), Type A behavior was heavily linked to coronary heart disease. Today, it is recognized less as a pure cardiac risk and more as a corporate burnout profile. Type A's are highly successful but constantly stressed; Type B's are less driven by external metrics but vastly more resilient.
The dimensions it assesses
- Time Urgency / Impatience: The constant feeling that there is not enough time. Hates waiting in lines, interrupts others, and attempts to multitask constantly.
- Competitiveness / Ambition: A relentless drive to win and achieve, turning even non-competitive situations (like a casual game or driving) into a contest.
- Hostility / Anger (The Lethal Component): A short fuse, easily provoked to anger over minor inconveniences or perceived incompetence in others.
What to do with your result
- The Hostility Distinction: Modern psychology has proven that working hard or fast (Time Urgency) is not the lethal component of Type A behavior. The lethal component is Cynical Hostility (the belief that everyone is incompetent and in your way). If a user has high drive but low hostility, they are safe. If they have high hostility, they must undergo anger management and cognitive reframing immediately.
- Managing a Type A: Managers should never micromanage a Type A; they will rebel aggressively. Instead, give them a massive, difficult goal and get out of their way.
- Managing a Type B: Type A managers often accidentally fire Type B employees, mistaking their calm demeanor for laziness. Type B's matter for team stability because they do not panic during crises.
Common questions about the TABP
- What does the TABP measure?
- Measurement of the Type A behavior pattern (extreme competitiveness, time urgency, and hostility) versus the Type B behavior pattern (relaxed, patient, and easy-going).
- Can the TABP diagnose me?
- No. Type A / Type B Behaviour (TABP) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.
- Is this TABP test really free?
- Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.
- Are my answers stored or shared?
- No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.
- How often should I retake the TABP?
- Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.
- How accurate is the TABP?
- Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.
Sources
Rights held by Jenkins Activity Survey is a commercial Pearson product. Developed and validated by the researchers cited below.
- Friedman, M., & Rosenman, R. H. (1959). Association of specific overt behavior pattern with blood and cardiovascular findings: blood cholesterol level, blood clotting time, incidence of arcus senilis, and clinical coronary artery disease. Journal of the American Medical Association, 169(12), 1286-1296.
Licensing
review. The Type A/B construct is unprotected, but the validated instruments are licensed. Only original items may be used.