Behavior vs. Behavioral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 29, 2023
Behavior refers to actions or reactions; behavioral describes anything related to or concerning behavior.
Difference Between Behavior and Behavioral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Behavior encompasses the activities, manners, and responses exhibited by an individual, group, or organism. Behavioral, on the other hand, is an adjective that qualifies anything pertaining to behavior. It is not the action or reaction itself but describes elements related to it.
If we consider behavior as the subject of observation, then behavioral aspects are the characteristics or attributes of that behavior. It's a matter of context. When we discuss an individual's actions or how an organism responds to an environment, we're talking about behavior. However, when we analyze the underlying factors or patterns of those actions and responses, we delve into the behavioral domain.
One might say that behavior is more tangible, the actual deed or act. It's what you can observe directly. Meanwhile, behavioral is more conceptual, pointing towards the qualities, tendencies, or patterns related to those actions. It's the lens through which behavior is examined.
While behavior denotes actions or reactions in their raw form, behavioral is a term that delves deeper into the nature, patterns, and attributes of those actions, providing a more analytical perspective.
Comparison Chart
Word Class
Noun
Adjective
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Meaning
Refers to actions or reactions
Pertains to or is concerned with behavior
Usage
Describes the act itself
Describes aspects or qualities of the act
Field of Study
The subject matter in psychology and sociology
A descriptor in psychological or sociological analysis
Examples
Walking, talking, smiling
Behavioral analysis, behavioral pattern
Compare with Definitions
Behavior
The manner in which one acts or conducts oneself.
His polite behavior impressed everyone.
Behavioral
Relating to the observable actions of individuals.
Behavioral studies help understand human actions.
Behavior
The response of an organism to environmental stimuli.
The moth's behavior towards light is a classic example.
Behavioral
Concerning the relationship between behavior and the mind's processes.
Behavioral neuroscience bridges behavior and brain function.
Behavior
The way in which a machine or substance acts under specified conditions.
The behavior of gas changes under pressure.
Behavioral
Relating to or emphasizing behavior.
Behavioral economics examines how people make financial decisions.
Behavior
The actions or reactions of people in response to external or internal stimuli.
The crowd's behavior turned chaotic.
Behavioral
Based on an individual's observable responses.
Behavioral therapy focuses on changing detrimental actions.
Behavior
Behavior (American English) or behaviour (British English; see spelling differences) is the actions and mannerisms made by individuals, organisms, systems or artificial entities in conjunction with themselves or their environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the (inanimate) physical environment. It is the computed response of the system or organism to various stimuli or inputs, whether internal or external, conscious or subconscious, overt or covert, and voluntary or involuntary.Taking a behavior informatics perspective, a behavior consists of actor, operation, interactions, and their properties.
Behavioral
Of or relating to behavior;
Behavioral sciences
Behavior
The manner in which one acts or behaves.
Behavioral
One of these actions or reactions
"a hormone ... known to directly control sex-specific reproductive and parenting behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrates" (Thomas Maugh II).
Behavior
Observable response produced by an organism.
Behavioral
(American spelling) Of or relating to behavior.
Behavior
The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.
Behavioral
Pertaining to patterns or tendencies in behavior.
They conducted a behavioral assessment of the patient.
Behavior
One of these actions or reactions
"a hormone ... known to directly control sex-specific reproductive and parenting behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrates" (Thomas Maugh II).
Behavioral
The manner in which one acts or behaves.
Behavior
The manner in which something functions or operates
The faulty behavior of a computer program.
The behavior of dying stars.
Behavioral
The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.
Behavior
(uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
Behavioral
The manner in which something functions or operates
The faulty behavior of a computer program.
The behavior of dying stars.
Behavior
(uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
Behavioral
Of or pertaining to behavior.
Behavior
A state of probation about one's conduct.
He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
Behavior
(countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
Behavior
(uncountable) The way a device or system operates.
Behavior
Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting one's self; conduct; deportment; carriage; - used also of inanimate objects; as, the behavior of a ship in a storm; the behavior of the magnetic needle.
A gentleman that is very singular in his behavior.
Behavior
Manner of acting or conducting yourself
Behavior
The action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances;
The behavior of small particles can be studied in experiments
Behavior
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
Behavior
(psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
Behavior
The display of certain attitudes or actions by an individual.
Aggressive behavior needs intervention.
Common Curiosities
What's a behavioral response?
A behavioral response is a reaction or action that's based on or related to behavior.
Can behavior be innate and not learned?
Yes, behaviors can be both innate (instinctual) and learned (acquired).
What does behavior refer to?
Behavior refers to the actions or reactions of an individual or organism.
Is behavioral therapy about changing behavior?
Yes, behavioral therapy aims to modify harmful or unwanted behaviors.
Are behavior and behavioral interchangeable?
No, behavior is a noun, and behavioral is an adjective describing things related to behavior.
How do behavior and behavioral relate to each other?
"Behavior" denotes actions, while "behavioral" describes aspects or attributes of those actions.
How is behavioral used in a sentence?
"Behavioral" is an adjective, e.g., "behavioral patterns reveal a lot about someone."
How are behavior and behavioral used in psychology?
Behavior is what psychologists observe, while behavioral describes theories, patterns, or therapies based on those observations.
Can machines have behavior?
In a manner of speaking, yes. Machines can "behave" based on their design and programming.
Can behavior be predicted?
To some extent, through observing behavioral patterns, behavior can be anticipated.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
