Previous research in Australia has inferred that materialism and its possession-defined ‘Success’ subtheme described by Richins and Dawson (1992) has characteristics in common with specific Type A behaviour including competitiveness and aggression. Given that Australian materialists appear to have similar inclinations to their North American counterparts, assumptions by the latter that materialism and Type A behaviour fall under the same cultural value of work and wealth might also be applicable in Australia. Hence, the present study aims to explore the relationship between materialism and Type A behaviour, with psychometric measures of each administered to 193 Australian participants. Scores on Materialism were positively correlated with Type A behaviours, while the Success subscale was only significantly correlated with the second Type A item, assessing competitiveness. However, while materialistic pursuits might provide a culturally sanctioned outlet for competitive behaviours deriving from existing Type A personalities, it could also be argued that contemporary consumer society encourages such behaviours.

The present study examines whether there are gender differences in eating attitudes among a sample of early adolescents in Hawai'i. A total of 79 female and 65 male 7th graders completed a survey that included measures of eating attitudes and other psychological constructs. Contrary to our prediction, males reported higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction than females. However, there were no gender differences in symptom levels of anxiety and depression. Eating attitudes were associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and self-dissatisfaction among females, while only self-dissatisfaction was associated with eating attitudes among males. The findings fail to support past studies that suggest females report more disordered eating attitudes than males.