This investigation assessed the importance of orientation behavior on group consensus and the individual satisfaction of participants. Students in four sections of an introductory speech course rated each classmate on a seven-point scale according to orientation behavior as manifested in the ability to resolve conflict, reinforce agreement, encourage participation, and make helpful suggestions. Groups were formed on the basis of the students' ratings. After a problem-solving session, participants were asked to evaluate the following: satisfaction with personal involvement in solving the problem, satisfaction with group participation, and willingness to engage in another problem-solving session with the same group. Results suggest that subjects in those groups with members rated high in orientation behavior were more satisfied with the discussion than were subjects in those groups with members rated low in orientation behavior. Orientation behavior did not seem to affect consensus as measured by the Perceived Consensus Test. (MAI)