PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Shelly Zamberg
Industrial/Organizational
August 1998

Type A Behavior Pattern, Impression Management, and Reported Conflict at Work

    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Type A behavior pattern, impression management (IM), and conflict in the workplace.  Instead of relying on the traditional global construct of Type A, the study investigated the behavior pattern as a two-dimensional construct, namely, achievement strivings (AS) and impatience-irritability (II).  Four groups were examined: Type A-AS, Type A-II, Type A (i.e., individuals high in AS and II), and Type B (i.e., individuals low in AS and II).  Contrary to prediction, it was found that use of assertiveness and coalition IM tactics were positively related to reported conflict at work.  No significant differences were found between groups’ levels of conflict or between their overall use of IM.  However, the study revealed that Type A-AS individuals reported using the IM tactic of rationality more than all other groups.  Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

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