The present study assessed the anger expression and general conversational skill of Type As and Bs in role-play scenes reflecting typical natural environment situations. In addition, the study assessed skill differences among hostile and nonhostile subgroups of Type As and Bs. Observers and confederates rated subjects' interpersonal skill during challenging and nonchallenging interactions. Type As expressed anger less appropriately than Bs in challenging situations, but displayed greater overall social skill and made significantly more interesting conversational partners than Type Bs across conditions. In general, nonhostile Type As and Bs received better skill ratings than the hostile groups. The relationship of interpersonal skill to physical health, the utility of classifications derived from current Type A assessment methods, and the potential efficacy of treatments targeting interpersonal skill deficits such as those apparent here are discussed.
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