Measurement of the Type a Behavior Pattern by Self-Report Questionnaires: Several Perspectives on Validity

Abstract

The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Type A behavior pattern as measured by paper-and-pencil questionnaires. Booklets containing the Jenkins Activity Survey, Framingham Type A Scale, Thurstone Activity Scale, a newly constructed bipolar adjective Type A measure, and measures of the needs for achievement and nurturance were completed by 418 students. Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated using LISREL VI. Convergent validity was supported by a common Type A construct represented by the covariation among different measures. Although all Type A measures shared common variance, there was consistent evidence that each measure reflects a unique aspect of the construct. Regarding discriminant validity, Type A was distinguished from the needs for achievement and nurturance. Regression analysis indicated that each of the three component factors of the Jenkins Activity Survey accounted for unique variance in Type A scores on this instrument. Results, generally, were comparable for both males and females.

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