Is Your Type B Personality Secretly Awesome? The Truth About Type A vs. Type B

2025-08-15 18:00:22.994

Helene Rutledge, a healthcare executive, has friends who embody both Type A and Type B personalities. Her Type B friend is spontaneous and unpredictable, offering unexpected acts of kindness, even if sometimes unreliable. This highlights the current cultural fascination with Type B traits, fueled by TikTok trends and a reaction against hustle culture. However, experts emphasize that the Type A/Type B dichotomy isn't scientifically valid. Personality is better understood as a spectrum of traits, as described by the Big Five model (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism). The Type A/Type B labels emerged in the 1950s, linked to heart attack risk research (partly funded by the tobacco industry), but these initial findings haven't held up. While popular culture clings to these types, definitions vary, and people tend to highlight the traits they prefer. The current interest in Type B reflects a pushback against intense work culture and a desire for a more relaxed mindset. Individuals like Alexey Novikov, a clown and editor, find freedom and headspace by rejecting traditional Type A notions of success. HR manager Kimberly Williams shares how embracing her Type B traits relieved self-criticism. The persistence of Type A/Type B is attributed to the simplicity and relatable nature of these categories, despite their lack of scientific backing. While not inherently harmful, these typologies can be misused in hiring practices and lead to self-criticism. Experts suggest focusing on a trait-based approach, acknowledging that traits are not fixed and can change over time. Ultimately, individuals should embrace their unique strengths and tendencies rather than conforming to rigid personality types.