To assess whether communication behaviors differ between high and low consensus groups, a study considered the comparative interaction of the first meetings of high and low consensus groups, the first and final meetings of high consensus groups, and the first and final meetings of low consensus groups. Subjects, 84 students in a small group communication course, were divided into 19 groups and were given an assignment structured so that their levels of consensus could be determined. The tape recorded interactions of the first and last meetings of groups determined to be of high and low consensus were coded on both the relational and the content levels of communication. While interaction was significantly different for all comparisons using the Fisher Interaction Analysis System of Coding (FIAS), Relational Communication System (RELCOM) coding demonstrated significant differences only for the initial high and low consensus group meetings. Although somewhat confusing, these findings do provide some evidence to support the belief that some interaction patterns are characteristic of groups that achieve consensus. Perhaps these results indicate the presence of compositional differences affecting group formation or a problem with the coding systems employed; in any case, more research is needed. (JL)