The purpose of this study was to determine which of two methods of teaching interpersonal relationship skills to student nurses was the most effective. The two methods compared were the traditional "established" method and a programmed group teaching method, the Basic Interpersonal Relations program. Subjects were 45 sophomore associated degree nursing students in their psychiatric rotation. Subjects were administered as pretests and posttests the Leory Interpersonal Checklist (ICL) and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B). Four groups were formed. Two groups (I and IV) were taught in the "established" way and in two groups (II and III), the basic Interpersonal Relations program was taught. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the amount of change in pre-post scores of any of the groups. This would indicate neither teaching method was superior to the other.