Quality of Performance of Attention-demanding Task and Emotional Reactivity During a Task of Type a Individuals

The aim of this study was to assess quality of performance of attention-demanding task of Type A and Type B individuals and their emotional reactivity during the task. 38 individuals were selected to participate in a study from 226 undergraduate students and classified as Type A (n=19) or as Type B (n=19) on the basis of their scores on the Adolescent/Adult Type A Behavior Scale – 3. They performed ABQ test to measure their focus and attentiveness in three different situations: when giving basic instructions, when giving the instructions with time limitations and stimulus to compete and when criticizing while doing the task. The emotional reactivity during the performances of the task was evaluated using Emotional Assessment Scale. The results of the study showed better Type A students’ performance on tasks in all three situations comparing to Type B students. Students having Type A behaviour pattern reported higher level of competiveness when being given the instructions of time limitations and stimulus to compete and when criticizing their performance than Type B students. Moreover, Type A students reported having more anger while performing the task when being criticized than Type B students.