Time Estimation and Risk Taking Behavior in Type A Personality

Abstract

Objective: Studies reported that Type A personality is characterized by ambition, aggression, and impatience. Although there are several studies investigating the relationship between individuals with this personality type and time perception and risk taking behavior, there are no studies investigating the relationship between the personality test scores, time perception, and risk-taking behavior. The main aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between Type A personality test scores, time perception and risk taking behavior. Methods: 27 participants (17 males; mean: 21.41±1.69 years) were included the study. None of he participants had any neurological, psychiatric, chronic diseases. Timewall test for time perception and Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) for risk-taking behavior were administrated. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used to determine the association between the personality test results, risk taking or time estimation scores. Results: Participants' accuracy and the early/late response rates in Timewall were evaluated. There was a significant positive relationship between personality test scores and early response rates in Timewall test (=0.592, n=27, p=0.001) but a negative relationship between personality test scores and late response rates in Timewall test (=-0.591, n=27, p=0.001). No correlation were found between BART and personality test scores. Conclusion: The results showed that the time perception shortened as personality test scores increased. Insufficient reward, punishment, and motivation in test could be the reason for not observing such relationship in BART.