The effects of Type A behavior and stress on the attribution of causality

In this study, we tested predictions derived from Glass’ model (1977) which argued that Type A behavior is a coping response to the threat of control loss. Based on attribution theory (Kelley 1967), which suggests that people engage in attribution processes to obtain or maintain a sense of control, we hypothesized that Type As would form more causal attributions than Type Bs, and that this difference between the two types would be greater under high-stress than under low-stress conditions. Sixty-eight high-tech employees were randomly assigned to a high-stress or low-stress condition, filled out questionnaires that measured Type A behavior and the tendency to explain the environment causally. The results supported the predictions derived from Glass’ model.