The relationship of achievement-related motivational variables and subjective probability of success to curricular choice in college males was studied. When the fear of failure was greater than the need for achievement, Ss chose majors with either a low or high probability of success, regardless of how probability of success was judged. When need for achievement was the greater of the motives, results depended on how probability of success was determined. Subjects chose majors with a low or high probability of success when the self was used as the standard of judgment, but chose majors with an intermediate probability of success when others were used as the standard. Results were discussed in terms of Atkinson's model of risk-taking, and the significance of the method of determining probability of success was stressed. (Author)