In recent years, communication research has examined the patterns of communicative behavior that manifest themselves normally across populations and situations. This study explored the relationship between two of these patterns, individual (trait) and situational (state) conditions of supportive and defensive communication. Subjects were 120 university undergraduate students, selected according to scores on an A-B scale that rated them as either problem solving or dogmatic. A supportive-defensive instrument was then administered whereby pairs of students discussed perceptions of eight personality profiles. After the discussion, subjects rated their own perception of the situation on a supportive-defensive scale. Analysis of the data support the following conclusions: a supportive or a defensive style can be attributed to certain characteristic modes of behavior; problem solving pairs tended to establish supportive climates while dogmatic pairs tended to establish defensive climates; and attempts to eliminate alternative options within the situation produced significant increases of defensive communication. (Based on the findings, the paper proposes and discusses four questions for future research.) (MAI)