Personality is to a large extent inherent — A type parents
usually bring about A type (36) But the environment must also
have a (37) effect, since if competition is important to the
parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their,
children. One place where children (38) up A
characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive
institution. Too many schools (39) the ’win at all costs’
moral standard and (40) their success by sporting
achievements. The current (41) for making children compete
against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in
which competitive A types seem in some way better than their B type fellows.
Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that
Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, (42) dead seconds
after saying: ’Rejoice, we conquer! ’ By far the worst form of
competition in schools is the (43) emphasis on examinations.
It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do
well (44) . Obviously, it is neither
practical nor desirable that all A youngsters change into B’s. (45)
It is top management. If the preoccupation of schools
with academic work was lessened, more time might be spent teaching children
surer values. (46) It is surely a mistake to choose our
doctors exclusively from A type stock. B’s are important and should be
encouraged.