To test the validity of the Watson-Barker Listening Test (WBLT), a study was conducted based on the hypothesis that there is a curvilinear relationship between receiver apprehension and listening ability. Subjects, 120 undergraduate speech students, completed the Receiver Apprehension Test (RAT) and the WBLT. Analysis of the data revealed a significant correlation between RAT scores and both long-term memory and total listening ability, though not between RAT scores and short-term memory. These significant relationships were curvilinear in nature, supporting the claims of validity for the Watson-Barker instrument. However, conclusions drawn from the study emphasize that more data must be accumulated before the WBLT can be considered "externally valid." A five-page bibliography is appended. (JD)