APPROVAL

The purpose of the study was to explore the constructs of locus of control (LOC) and risk-taking propensity and to examine the relevance of these constructs to achievement in higher education. Four hundred ninety-nine students were examined on two instruments, the Rotter Focus of Control Scale and the Choice Dilemma Questionnaire (risk taking) during randomly selected courses at Eastern Montana College in Billings, Montana. Achievement was measured by GPA which was acquired from student academic records. Correlational methods and comparative analyses were utilized to test the hypotheses. It was concluded that there was no significant multiple relationship between achievement and locus of control, risk-taking propensity, year in school, age, and family-of-origin income level. It was determined that there was a significant difference between males and females in locus of control. There were also significant differences in the means of married, single, divorced and widowed students in LOC scores. Contrary to much of the available literature, there were no statistically significant differences in GPAs of individuals with an internal or external LOC. Females scored significantly higher on achievement than males, contrary to traditional beliefs. Males and females do not show a significant difference in risktaking propensity. Additional research is recommended on the relationship between LOC and achievement with th