Overachievement and Catecholamine Excretion in an Achievement-Demanding Situation

Abstract

The relationship was studied between overachievement (defined as high school achievement in relation to intelligence) and catecholamine output (adrenaline and noradrenaline (epinephrine [E] and norepinephrine [NE])). The subjects were 176 children aged 13 yr. E and NE excretions were measured in a neutral situation (attending a nonexciting film) and in an achievement-demanding situation. In the achievement-demanding situation, overachieving boys had much higher E excretion levels than the other boys. This difference was not found for girls. For boys, overachievement in combination with overambition (as rated by teachers) was related to a higher output of both E and NE in an achievement-demanding situation.