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behavior

behavior

598 2.5
The actions a person or animal shows in studies
  • noun
  • /bɪˈheɪvjər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : conducta
  • Understanding animal behavior can help us learn more about their needs in captivity.
  • aggressive behavior
  • disruptive behavior
  • prosocial behavior

And so does my behavior match what I want?

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Examples

  • His behavior was conditioned by forces beyond his control.

  • In brief, the participants demonstrated different behaviors in resource use and ability enhancement.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And so does my behavior match what I want?

  • Do not accept that behavior in your life.

  • How do you account for his behavior tonight?

  • OK, so he describes some of that behavior in more detail.

  • For example, suppose I want to understand the behavior of a child welfare agency.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I apologize, ladies and gentlemen for my friend's behavior.

  • The more positive the athletes perceived their coaches' behaviors, the more positive their athletic experience was.

    Academic text (2011)
  • His research interests involve children and adolescents with severe behavior difficulties and their family interactions.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

conduct
vsbehavior
390 3.7

The way a person behaves in a particular situation

is broader, covering actions and responses studied in psychology
manner
vsbehavior
186 1.0

A person's usual way of acting

focuses on general actions and responses studied in psychology rather than style

Compounds

Ways people act and react to others and their surroundings

Actions that hurt or try to control other people

behavior modification
  • Specialized
6 4.5

A way to change unwanted actions by rewarding the good and discouraging the bad

behavior therapy
  • Specialized
3 3.9

A treatment that helps people change actions they do not want by rewarding better ones

A set of rules members of a group like a school or company must follow

Very bold, shameless actions that ignore normal rules

dickish behavior
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Rude, selfish actions that hurt or upset other people

Actions in public that disturb other people or cause trouble

1 7.8

Violent actions that try to scare or hurt other people

1 5.8

Actions or words that hurt other people's feelings and damage relationships

Trying too hard to please others by being polite and friendly in a way that does not seem honest

8.4

Very cruel or violent actions like those of a wild animal that hurt people

brain behavior
  • Specialized
5.6

The way brain activity links to a person's actions

catty behavior
  • Offensive
7.7

Mean words or actions that secretly hurt people in a social group

Wanting too much attention and support from someone

9.9

Strange actions that make other people feel uncomfortable or unsafe

A rule that lets men have more freedom about sex than women and judges them more harshly

douchey behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Rude selfish actions that ignore other people's feelings

9.9

Loud, rough, slightly rude actions that seem cheerful and not polite

autistic behavior
  • Specialized
6.8

Actions and reactions common in people with autism

fuckskull behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Very rude, foolish actions that show little common sense

klutzy behavior
  • Informal
7.7

Clumsy actions that cause small accidents or mistakes

7.3

Acting to get attention from other people in a selfish, showy way

Not giving money or help when others expect it

9.9

Rude or impolite actions that traditional Indian people see as wrong

gimboid behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

To act in an awkward, silly way that makes others feel embarrassed or annoyed

9.9

Mean actions that spoil other people's fun

9.9

Rude actions that show bad manners and offend others

gropy behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Touching someone in a sexual way without their permission

9.9

A very showy way of behaving to get attention

A way of acting in public that often includes loud, demanding complaints and asking to speak to a manager

relaxation behavior
  • Specialized
8.1

The way a physical system slowly returns to its normal state after a disturbance

Actions that are loud and show too much confidence

rummy behavior
  • Archaic
9.6

Acting in a strange way that surprises other people

9.9

Behavior like a strict church leader who judges others

9.9

An insulting phrase for rude or criminal actions blamed on certain travelling communities

9.9

Actions like those of people who follow the Pope

9.9

Actions that are unpredictable and that many people find offensive

9.9

A very cruel or dishonest action that hurts other people

Sudden unpredictable mood changes that affect how a person acts

trampy behavior
  • Offensive
9.3

Acting in a sexual way that people think is improper

9.9

Actions that show sexual interest in a way people strongly disapprove

9.9

Walking or doing things while asleep without knowing it

9.9

Clumsy or very energetic actions that draw attention and often make people laugh

9.9

Socially awkward or unusual actions that may offend people

9.0

Nervous, strange actions that make people feel uneasy

9.9

Acting like a straight person to fit in or hide true self

Rude actions that show a lack of politeness

9.9

Strong support for the government and its messages without question, often seen in Russia

wankstain behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Very rude and shameful behavior that makes people feel disgusted

How Frequent

compulsivity
  • Specialized
9.6
habit
630 1.0
behavior
  • Specialized
598 2.5
pattern
2.3

Surface Forms

behavior singular
behaviors plural
behaviours plural
behaviour singular

Morphology

behavior = behave (transparent) = behave + ior

The psychological sense refers to actions/responses and is a straightforward nominalization of 'behave'.

Etymology

In psychology, behavior means the actions or responses of an organism and the word comes from behave (from be- + have) which once meant to 'hold or conduct yourself'. That's why psychologists study how someone 'acts'—their behavior.