Key Takeaways
- Type B personalities are described as relaxed, spontaneous, and easygoing.
- Type A personalities tend to push themselves harder, work at higher stress levels, and focus on achievement.
- Most people are a mix of both personality types, and traits can shift based on situation and energy levels.
We all approach life a little differently. Some people are driven by deadlines, schedules, and to-do lists; whereas some of us prefer to take things as they come. If you’ve ever been called chill, easygoing, or the calm one in a crisis, you might just have what’s known as a Type B personality.
“Relaxed, spontaneous, and flexible, Type B personalities are the Ernie to Type A’s Bert, Han to Leia, and Kermit to Miss Piggy,” says Eric Gee, a life coach and author of “The Power of Personality.”
What Are Type A and B Personalities?
The personality dichotomy was created by American cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray H. Rosenman in the 1970s. The physicians characterized people into two buckets: Type A and Type B personalities.
They felt that Type A personalities push themselves harder and operate at higher stress levels; whereas, people with Type B personalities work less aggressively and more steadily.
Type A
Highly competitive and ambitious
Driven by success and achievement
Aim for perfection
Extremely time-conscious
Impatient and easily frustrated
Unable to relax and unwind
Prone to stress and anxiety
Type B
More cooperative and collaborative
Motivated by enjoyment
Accept imperfections
Poor at time management
Calm, patient, and even-tempered
Comfortable taking breaks
Relaxed and easy-going
A Type A person might thrive on structure, deadlines, and high achievement, while someone with more Type B traits might feel most at ease when things are flexible, creative, and low-pressure.
Compared to Type As, who are driven by ambition, Type B personalities are more relaxed and easygoing, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Clarity Clinic, Chicago.
Neither approach is better or worse. They’re just different ways of moving through life.
The Type B Personality Quiz
Think you might be a Type B personality? Take this quiz to find out. Remember, there are no wrong answers. Just pick the option that best describes you.
This quiz is not intended to be a substitute for a clinical diagnosis, professional assessment, or the basis of any significant life decisions. Think of it as a fun and engaging way to spark some self-awareness.
Who Is This Quiz For?
This quiz is designed for anyone who’s curious about where they fall on the Type A to Type B personality spectrum. Maybe you’ve been called Type A or Type B before and wondered if it’s true, or maybe you feel like you identify with both personality types simultaneously.
Whether you’re a student juggling assignments, a professional balancing work and life, or just someone who enjoys a little self-reflection, this quiz offers a light, relatable way to get to know yourself better. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to understand your strengths or see where you might bring a little more balance into your life.
Remember, You Might Not Fit Neatly Into One Type
While we often talk about Type A and Type B as opposites, the truth is that most people are a blend of both. You might be super organized and driven at work (very Type A), but totally laid-back on the weekends (hello, Type B).
“Despite their often easygoing natures, Type B personalities can be just as demanding, focused, and driven as Type A personalities (and vice versa),” says Gee.
Our personalities aren’t fixed—they shift depending on the situation, the environment, and even our energy levels. You may lean more one way than the other, but chances are you tap into both styles at different times.
Our unique blend of traits influences everything from how we handle stress to how we connect with others. It’s what gives us our rhythm, our energy, and our personal style—making each of us a little different, and totally our own.
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