Neither the nature of orientation instructions nor monetary incentives have significant effects on listening achievement, according to results of one experiment. The study tested six groups of subjects on the contents of one speech heard by all. The orientation variable of the speech had three conditions: interesting, neutral, and boring subjects were offered a small payment for their participation, but some were told that they could receive two or three times as much if test scores were high enough. Results showed that scores on listening achievement tests are affected neither by the type of orientation nor by the possibility of receiving additional payments. Ratings on speech interest, however, revealed that those given the "boring orientations are more likely to rank the speech itself as uninteresting. Secondary analyses revealed that listening achievement is generally higher for males and for those who have higher grade point averages, but these factors have no effect on the major variables of types of orientation or monetary incentives. (RN)