The type A behavior pattern: a critical assessment.

Research on the Type A (coronary-prone)behavior pattern has proliferated at a rapid rate in recent years. With the cardiovascular risk value of Type A behavior well established, many studies have focused on reliability, validity, and other essentially psychological and psychometric issues. These studies are evaluated, along with the fundamental assumptions underlying the construct. Further research is suggested which examines the comparative predictive validity of Type A behavior and its defining criteria across diverse populations and the interaction of stress and behavior pattern.