A short rating scale as a potential measure of pattern a behavior

Abstract

A CERTAIN pattern of overt behavior (Pattern A) has been described [l] which is associated with manifestations of coronary heart disease (CHD) in men under the age of 55. People who exhibit this pattern of overt behavior are more hard driving, ambitious, and time conscious than are slower moving, less aggressive, more easy going (Pattern B) individuals. Thus far the pattern has been identified and assessed by means of a standard interview [2], a questionnaire [3], and a performance battery [4]_ Identification of the pattern explicitly depends upon behavior at the overt level. It might be expected that observation of one’s own behavior should lead to fairly accurate ratings of at least some aspects of Pattern A behavior. A simple, objectively scored rating scale used to measure familial similarity 151 might thus serve as a crude index of Pattern A behavior. This is a report of preliminary findings using this measure. The measure has 14 rating scales. Each scale is composed of two adjectives or phrases separated by a line 13 in. in length. Each pair was chosen to represent two kinds of contrasting behavior. One of the descriptions was thought to reflect Pattern A behavior; the other, to represent Pattern B behavior. In the listing which follows, the description thought to be typical of Pattern A is italicized. The items, in the order that they appeared on a mimeographed form, were: (1) Never late-casual about appointments; (2) Not competitive-Very competitive, (3) Anticipates what others are going to say (nods, interrupts, finishes for them)-Good listener, hears others out (4) Always rushed-Never feels rushed, even under pressure: (5) Can wait patiently -Impatient when waiting; (6) Goes “all out”-Casual; (7) Takes things one at a timeTries to do many things at once, thinks about what he’s going to do next; (8) Emphatic in speech (may pound desk)-Slow, deliberate talker; (9) Wants good job recognised by others-Only cares about satisfying himself no matter what others may think; (10) Fast (eating, walking, etc).-Slow doing things; (11) Easy going-Hard driving; (12) ‘Sits’ on feelings--Expresses fielings; (13) Many interests-Few interests outside work; and (14) Satisfied with job-Ambitious.