Behavior vs. Behaviour — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
"Behavior" is the American English spelling, while "Behaviour" is the British English spelling. Both words mean the same: the way in which one acts or conducts oneself.
Difference Between Behavior and Behaviour
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Behavior in American English refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in relation to the environment. Behaviour, the British English equivalent, holds the same definition, reflecting the way individuals act in various situations. Despite the difference in spelling, the meaning and use in language remain consistent between the two.
When discussing psychological principles, "behavior" in the U.S. carries the same connotations as "behaviour" in the U.K., that is, the observable actions of a person. Whether one writes about a child's behavior in New York or a child's behaviour in London, they are commenting on the same phenomena: how the child acts and reacts.
In academic and scientific contexts, American journals will consistently use "behavior," whereas British publications prefer "behaviour." Nonetheless, the context in which these words are used does not change, and they are interchangeable when one is adapting text from one form of English to another.
The distinction between "behavior" and "behaviour" extends to their derivatives, like "behavioral" or "behavioural." American English adopts a more phonetic spelling as seen in "behavioral psychology," while British English retains traditional forms, as in "behavioural psychology." The principles of the field, however, do not differ across the Atlantic.
Ultimately, the choice between "behavior" and "behaviour" comes down to the intended audience and the standard writing conventions of that audience's locale. The meaning conveyed by both spellings is the same, and understanding of the concept is not hindered by the choice of spelling.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Behavior
Behaviour
Usage
Used in the United States
Used in the UK and other countries following British English
Lexical Preference
Reflects American English spelling norms
Reflects British English spelling norms
Grammar Manuals
Advised by manuals like the Chicago Manual of Style
Advised by guides such as the Oxford Style Manual
Publication Norms
Used in American publications
Used in British publications
Compare with Definitions
Behavior
The way in which one acts.
His behavior at the party was commendable.
Behaviour
The way a person acts towards others.
He's known for his polite behaviour.
Behavior
Responses to internal or external stimuli.
The behavior of gases under pressure is predictable.
Behaviour
The manner in which one conducts oneself.
Her behaviour during the event was impeccable.
Behavior
The way in which something functions or operates.
The erratic behavior of the stock market is worrisome.
Behaviour
Collective responses that are part of a system or organism's nature.
The bees' behaviour changes in the presence of a predator.
Behavior
The aggregate of responses to a situation or stimulus.
The experiment tested the rats' behavior in a maze.
Behaviour
The functioning or operating of a system or machine.
This model predicts the behaviour of electrons in a conductor.
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.
Behaviour
The reactions of a person or animal in response to external stimuli.
Animal behaviour can be fascinating to study.
Behavior
The manner in which one acts or behaves.
Behaviour
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others
Behaviour patterns
Management is a set of techniques and behaviours for getting things done
He will vouch for her good behaviour
His insulting behaviour towards me
Behavior
The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.
Behaviour
Variant of behavior.
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).
Behaviour
Standard spelling of behavior#Noun
Behavior
The manner in which something functions or operates
The faulty behavior of a computer program.
The behavior of dying stars.
Behaviour
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
(uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
Behaviour
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
Behavior
(uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
Behaviour
(psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
Behavior
A state of probation about one's conduct.
He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
Behaviour
Manner of acting or conducting yourself
Behavior
(countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
Behavior
Observable response produced by an organism.
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 manner of conducting oneself.
Good behavior is expected in the classroom.
Common Curiosities
Is the meaning of "behavior" different in psychology?
No, "behavior" in psychology has the same meaning as "behaviour" in British English.
Does the difference in spelling affect pronunciation?
No, both are pronounced the same way.
Does "behavior" have different meanings in different fields?
While "behavior" can have context-specific nuances, its core meaning remains consistent across fields.
Can I use "behavior" in British English?
It is not standard; "behaviour" is the correct spelling in British English.
Will English speakers understand me if I use the "wrong" spelling?
Yes, English speakers generally understand both spellings regardless of the version they use.
Is "behaviour" used in other English-speaking countries outside of the UK?
Yes, it's also used in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Are behavior and behaviour the same?
Yes, they are the same in meaning but differ in American and British spelling.
Why are there two spellings for behavior/behaviour?
The difference in spelling is a result of different standardizations in American and British English.
Are there derivatives of behavior/behaviour that also have different spellings?
Yes, such as "behavioral" in American English and "behavioural" in British English.
Is the spelling difference between behavior/behaviour acknowledged by dictionaries?
Yes, dictionaries typically list both spellings and may indicate the regional usage.
Can the use of "behavior" vs. "behaviour" indicate an author's nationality?
Often, it can be a clue about the author's nationality or the version of English they're using.
Are there any contexts where one spelling is preferred over the other?
Yes, depending on whether the context is American or British English.
In bilingual education, which spelling of behavior/behaviour is taught?
It depends on whether the education system follows American or British English standards.
Will using "behavior" in the UK be seen as a spelling mistake?
In formal writing, it may be marked as incorrect according to British spelling rules.
Do teaching curricula differ in teaching behavior/behaviour?
Teaching curricula will usually stick to the spelling appropriate for the region.
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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.
