Serum Uric Acid and Cholesterol in Achievement Behavior and Motivation: I. The Relationship to Ability, Grades, Test Performance, and Motivation

This study examined the possible involvement of serum uric acid and serum cholesterol concentrations in the achievement behavior and achievement motivation of male high school students and recent graduates. It attempted to replicate and extend the existing body of data which has suggestively linked serum uric acid and achievement. The cholesterol data were explored as a possible contrast to the correlates of uric acid. The major findings in this part were (1) uric acid showed a positive association with grades and with over-achievement (grades adjusted for intelligence quotient); (2) uric acid was positively related to performance on aptitude (speed) tests; (3) a positive association was obtained between uric acid and the "slope" measure of achievement motivation (steepness of gradient of attractiveness ratings of occupations in relation to their difficulty), and a negative association between uric acid and test anxiety.