This investigation emerged out of the generally accepted propositions that understanding is a fundamental for building, or maintaining, positive human relationships and that meaningful interaction in any interpersonal relationship is dependent upon the communication of understanding. An instrument was developed containing a list of behaviors that gave teenagers the feeling of having been understood and the feeling of having been misunderstood. This instrument was administered to three groups of 100 teenagers each. The groups were: (1) from a rural environment, (2) from a high socio-economic community, and (3) incarcerated youth in correctional schools. Results show that teenagers of differing demographic locations and social behaviors are very much alike in their evaluation of behaviors that communicate understanding. The three most highly rated items were: (1) suggests ways I might solve my problems, (2) takes time to sit down with me, and (3) spends time with me discussing my problem. Verbal behavior is preferred to nonverbal behavior. Implications include a necessity to concentrate on the person with the problem, not other distractions, and on the person more than the problem. (Author/KJ)