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Type A personality

a personality pattern characterized by chronic competitiveness, high levels of achievement motivation, impatience and a distorted sense of time urgency, polyphasic activity (e.g., shaving or eating while reading a newspaper), and aggressiveness and hostility. The entire array of traits and behaviors characterizing Type A personality was believed at one time to be connected to the development of coronary heart disease. Epidemiological studies have failed to confirm that connection, but evidence does suggest that one Type A feature in particular—hostility—does contribute to the pathogenesis of heart disease. Compare Type B personality. [outlined in the 1970s by U.S. physicians Meyer Friedman (1910–2001) and Ray H. Rosenman]

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Psychology term of the day

March 28th 2024

prescribing psychology

prescribing psychology

an emerging area of clinical psychology in which licensed, appropriately trained practitioners are legally authorized to prescribe medications for the treatment of emotional and mental disorders (see psychoactive drug). This integration of medication management with psychological practice is controversial: Within the United States, only New Mexico, Louisiana, and Illinois have enacted laws permitting it, in 2002, and 2004, and 2014, respectively. In addition to fulfilling all other requirements required for professional licensure as a practicing clinician, prescribing psychologists in these states must complete a postdoctoral psychopharmacology training program and pass a national certification exam. New Mexico also requires a supervised 400-hour, 100-patient practicum. Also called medical psychology. See also prescriptive authority.