Personality Type Questionnaire

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In the list of attributes, circle the number that most closely represents your own behaviour. At one end of the scale is Type-A behaviour, the other is Type-B behaviour. High Type-A scores are obtained on the right side of the scale for questions 2, 5,7,11,13,14; high Type-A scores are obtained on the left side of the scale for questions 1,3,4,6,8,9,10,12. Give yourself 10 points if you score at the end of the scale towards Type-A, working down to 0 points at the other end of the scale, which represents Type-B.

  1. Never Late: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Casual about appointments
  2. Not competitive: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Very competitive
  3. Anticipates what others are going to say (nods,interrupts, finishes for them): 54321012345 Good listener
  4. Always rushed: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Never feels rushed
  5. Can wait patiently: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Impatient while waiting
  6. Goes all out: 5 4 3 2 10 12 3 4 5 Casual
  7. Takes things one at a time: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Tries to do too much
  8. Emphatic in speech: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Slow deliberate talker
  9. Wants good job: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Seeks self-satisfaction recognised by others regardless of others
  10. Fast (eating, walking, etc.): 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Slow doing things
  11. Easy going: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Hard-driving
  12. Hides feelings: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Expresses feelings
  13. Many outside interests: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Few outside interests
  14. Satisfied with job: 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Ambitious
Childhood influences and upbringing

A traumatic childhood is likely to lead to greater levels of stress as an adult. A difficult childhood is also more likely to lead to low self-esteem, low self-as-sertiveness, difficulty expressing personal beliefs, attitudes and feelings, and a tendency to depend on others to provide a sense of emotional wellbeing and self-worth.

Over-dependence upon others is likely to lead to frustration as expectations are inevitably dashed-leading to feelings of frustration, anger, depression and hopelessness in adulthood.

Unrealistic expectations

Unrealistic expectations are a common source of stress. People often become upset about something, not because it is innately stressful but because it does not concur with what they expected. Take, for example, the experience of driving in slow-moving traffic. If it happens at rush hour, you may not like it but it should not surprise or upset you. However, if it occurs on a Sunday afternoon, especially if it makes you late for something, you are more likely to be stressed by it.

When expectations are realistic, life feels more predictable and therefore more manageable. There is an increased feeling of control because you can plan and prepare yourself (physically and psychologically). For example, if you know in advance when you have to work overtime or stay late, you will take it more in your stride than when it is dropped on you at the last minute.

Attitudes and beliefs

A lot of stress results from our beliefs. We have literally thousands of premises and assumptions about all kinds of things that we hold to be the truth-everything from, 'You can't beat the system' and 'The customer is always right', to 'Men shouldn't show their emotions' and 'Children should tidy their rooms'. We have beliefs about how things are, how people should behave and about ourselves (T can never remember people's names'). Most of our beliefs are held unconsciously so we are unaware of them. This gives them more power over us and allows them to run our liyes.

Beliefs cause stress in two ways. The first is the behaviour that results from them. For example, if you believe that work should come before pleasure, you are likely to work harder and have less leisure time than you would otherwise. If you believe that people should meet the needs of others before they meet their own, you are likely to neglect yourself to some extent.

These beliefs are expressions of a personal philosophy or value system, which results in increased effort and decreased relaxation-a formula for stress. There is no objective truth to begin with. These are really just opinions but they lead to stressful behaviour. Uncovering the unconscious assumptions behind actions can be helpful in changing one's lifestyle.

The second way in which beliefs cause stress is when they are in conflict with those of other people. However, it should always be remembered that personal assumptions are not the truth but rather opinions and, therefore, they can be challenged. In situations of conflict it is always helpful if the protagonists attempt to revise their beliefs, or at least admit that the beliefs held by the other person may be just as valid as their own. This mind-opening exercise usually helps to diminish stressful antagonism.