Defining Characteristics of Type B Personality
Personality is a set of characteristics that differentiate and distinguish you from other people. These traits can also predict your behavior and attitudes. In this article, we’ll focus on the classification developed by Rosenman and Friedman to explain Type B personality.
There are many theories that explain personality, but almost all of them focus on defining different personality types. That doesn’t mean, however, that you belong in a concrete category. Thus, it’s normal for people to have characteristics of different personality types.
“The variety of individual personalities is the world’s greatest richness.”
-Julian Huxley-
Type B personality
Type B personality is considered the healthiest and the most common. People with this personality type are flexible and docile. They’re calm, relaxed, empathetic, assertive, open to social relationships, and have a tendency toward emotional well-being. In general, they’re aware of their limitations and aren’t hostile.
Relaxed
Type B people are relaxed and calm. They aren’t easily flustered or annoyed because they have self-control.
Their communication style is assertive. When they express themselves, they do it in a respectful and non-aggressive way.
Calm
You’ll rarely see a Type B person in a hurry. They enjoy what they do and take their time. Their lives are calm. If they get behind on something, they don’t stress out about it. They feel the most comfortable when they can concentrate on just one idea or activity. Type B people often make time to stop and analyze their achievements.
They tend to go to bed late and like to exercise and do sports. Because they’re good at organizing their time, their days seem to last a lot longer than other people’s.
Empathetic
People with Type B personality know how to listen and put themselves in other people’s shoes. In other words, they practice active listening and empathy. What’s more, they enjoy helping other people and take action to make social change.
“I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal property.”
-Norman O. Brown-
Satisfied
Type B people feel satisfied with themselves. They don’t need to compete with or feel superior to other people. People with this personality type accept life as it is and let things follow their natural course. They aren’t interested in changing others as much as they are in their own personal well-being.
At work, they combine creativity and effort. Though they tend to work more slowly than others, they gain recognition for the quality of what they do. Their slogan is quality over quantity.
Warm
Type B people are warm and friendly. They’re even-tempered. People like them because they inspire a calm and relaxed environment. Also, they tend to be very loved, charismatic, and kind.
Self-assured
People with this personality type usually have very healthy self-esteem. They believe in themselves, value themselves, and also try to be on an equal playing field with other people.
Illnesses associated with this personality type
People with this personality type tend to have low stress and anxiety levels. Type B people see stressors as opportunities for growth and change. They tend to regain balance after a crisis. Not only that, but they’re the best at adapting to any circumstances.
“Personality is and does something. It is what lies behind specific acts and within the individual.”
-Gordon Allport-
Interesting facts about Type B personality
If you feel curious and want to learn about the other personality types (like A, C, and D) and the illnesses and risk factors associated with each, remember the following:
- You might identify with one specific type, but that doesn’t mean you’ll definitely suffer from the associated illnesses. It just means you’re just more vulnerable to them.
- If you happen to know someone who suffers from the same illness as you, that doesn’t mean you have the same personality type.
- This personality classification isn’t universal. In other words, it’s normal if you don’t identify with any of them.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Gutiérrez, J. L. G., Hernández, E. G., & Jiménez, B. M. (2000). Personalidad resistente, burnout y salud. Escritos de psicología, (4), 64-77.
- Montemayor, V. M. P., Moreno, J. A. P., & González, A. E. A. (2014). Patrones de personalidad tipo A o B, estrés laboral y correlatos psicofisiológicos. Psicología y salud, 16(1), 79-85.
- Moreno-Jiménez, B., Garrosa-Hernández, E., & Gálvez-Herrer, M. (2005). Personalidad positiva y salud. Psicología de la salud. Temas actuales de investigación en Latinoamérica, 59-76.
