Friedman and Rosenman conducted a study in the 1950s that linked certain personality traits to risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). They interviewed and collected blood samples from 166 men to compare traits and biomarkers between those they classified as “Type A” or “Type B” personalities. Type As were characterized as competitive, ambitious, and constantly striving to meet deadlines. The study found Type As had higher rates of CHD compared to Type Bs, as well as faster clotting times and higher cholesterol. However, the study did not use random sampling and only included white-collar men. Additionally, it did not account for other factors like genetics, culture, diet, blood pressure, or lifestyle that could influence

1. INTRODUCTION:
•Who, When, Where
•What led to Study?
•What if?
•Method
•Results
•Discussion
•Q & A

2. Cardiologist
Researcher
M
eyer
Friedm
an,
M
.D.
Cardiologist
Researcher
Ray
Rosenm
an,
M
.D.
1950

4. Friedman was having furniture reupholstered
• Upholsterer pointed to unusual wear on cushion seat
• Friedman wondered if people w/coronary heart
disease (CHD) had unique characteristics
• Found a common belief that those w/high stress
may lead to CHD

5. Traits were
Physiological Outcomes
LINKED

6. Type “A” Traits
• Take charge attitude
• The juggler
•Free-floating hostility
•Covert in nature
Vs.
Behaviors

7. Type “B”

8. “Watch out, take it easy, you’re a real Type A.”“Watch out, take it easy, you’re a real Type A.”
Participants:
• 2 groups of 83 men
• Average Age: 44 yrs.

9. Interview/questionnaire
Blood Samples + EKG’s
Diaries (kept by participants)
&

10. Subjects (Ss): Interviewed
Ss instructed to keep ‘diet’ diary
• One (1) week
•All that they ate & drank
Blood drawn by research assistants

11. The
Last Procedure
EKG
Interpreted:
(2) Independent
Cardiologists!
EKG
Interpreted:
(2) Independent
Cardiologists!

12. Group “A” Type: Chronically harassed by:
• Commitments
• Ambition
• Drives
• Eagerness to compete in any activity
• Having a strong desire to win

13. Group “B” Type: Seem satisfied w/current situations
• Avoided pursuing multiple goals
• Not as eager to compete
• Were less troubled with advancement
• Spent more time with their families

14. Table 1 Comparison of Characteristics for Group A and Groups B (Averages)
Weigh
t
Work
Hours
/
Week
Exerci
se
Hours/
week
Number of
Smokers
Cigarette
s/ day
Alcohol
Calorie
s/ day
Total
Calorie
s
Fat
calorie
s
Parent
s with
Childre
n
Group
A
176 51 10 67 23 194 2049 944 36
Group
B
172 45 7 56 15 149 2134 978 27
(Hock, 2009, p. 213)
•Two groups were very similar in measured characteristics
• Difference in number of cigarettes smoked

15. Table 2 Comparisons of Blood and Illnesses for Group A and Group B
Average
Clotting Time
(minutes)
Average
Serum
Cholesterol
Arcus Senilis
(percent)
Coronary
Heart Disease
(percent)
Group A 6.9 253 38 28
Group B 7.0 215 11 4
(Hock, 2009, p. 213)
• Clotting time was faster in Group A than Group B
• Percent of men with CHD higher in Group A than Group B

16. Reasonable & Unreasonable Findings
Hypothesis: Friedman & Rosenman’s study suggests that “Type A”
behavior may be more prone to CHD, resulting from specific elevated
blood levels, tests & other potential behavioral threats i.e. smoking.
Additionally, being linked to the chronically stressed, free-floating
hostile, anxious, multi-tasking person who usually has a sense of
urgency shadowing over them. “Type B” will show the opposite of “A.”

17. Reasonable:
• Substantiated by: blood, EKG,
alcohol & fat calories + parenthood
• Worksite Stressors: competitiveness
Shared belief: X-treme stressors = CHD
(Hock, 2009, ??)

18. Unreasonable
Substantiated by: Biased Approach
• Absence of Random Sampling
• Caucasian ‘white collar’ professionals
• Demographics, cultures not considered i.e. Mexico, Italy
• Genetically pre-disposed:
•Absence of blood pressure, triglycerides, diabetes testing

19. CAVEAT!
Arcus Senilis…”in old age” or unhealthy liver
Remember Amt. of alcohol consumption not tested
+the older we get nothing seems to work the same…
including the liver 
(Mosby Medical Dictionary, 2009)
(Online Journal of Opthamology www.onjoph.com)

20. ?
Potential causal interference…
According to Kornitzer (1985), “…
heavy drinkers are more Type A both
amongst blue and white collar middle
aged males.
(Kornitzer & Dramaix, 1986, pp. 781-783)
What does this mean to you?

21. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola
All cholesterol is vital to regenerate cells
Dismiss the ‘myth’ that LDL & HDL exist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?=awA2fsa94MI
?

22. NOT Addressed in Friedman & Rosenman study
1. Strong & consistent evidence, according to Australian report
relating (1.) of an:
• “…independent causal association between d patterns…epression,
social isolation & lack of quality of social support and the prognosis
of CHD…(2.)…no strong evidence for a causal association between
chronic life events, work-related stressors…Type A behaviors…and
CHD…similar order to the more conventional CHD risk factors such
as smoking, dyslipidaemia and hypertension”
(The Medical Journal of Australia, 2003, pp. 272-276)

23. ETHICAL VIOLATIONSETHICAL VIOLATIONS
WHY AUTHOR’S CHOICE?WHY AUTHOR’S CHOICE?
OWN EXPERIENCEOWN EXPERIENCE

24. Behaviors OR Genetics OR Culture OR Diet
= CHD
Consider Critical Thinking #3, #7, #5
TM

25. The End
Lynette
Helping to pollinate your thoughts and methodology
In just plain living! And the enjoyment w/stressors
©Lynette E. Mitan, 11.03.11