behavior

The word “behavior” means the way a person, animal, or system acts, especially in response to a situation. In plain terms, how someone or something acts.

“Behavior” is pronounced bih-HAY-vyuh (/bɪˈheɪ.vjɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “behavior” used in a sentence: “The therapist studies behavior to understand anxiety triggers.”

Words with a similar meaning to “behavior” include comportment, conduct, demeanor and deportment.

“Behavior” is a noun.

The word “behavior” comes from Old French. From Middle English behavour, formed from "behave" plus a suffix borrowed by analogy from the older word "havour" (meaning possessions or conduct), itself from Old French avoir ("to have").

“Behavior” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

There is no difference in meaning — only in spelling. 'Behavior' is the American English form, while 'behaviour', with a 'u', is the British and Commonwealth spelling. Both refer to the way someone or something acts. Which you use simply depends on the regional style you are writing in.

Attitude is an inner mindset — how someone feels or thinks about something. Behavior is the outward action that others can observe. Attitudes often shape behavior, but the two can diverge: a person may feel annoyed yet behave politely. One is internal; the other is visible.

Yes. Behavior is strongly shaped by learning, habit, and environment, so it can be altered through practice, reinforcement, or therapy. Rewarding desired actions and removing the triggers for unwanted ones are common methods. Change often takes time and consistency, but behavior is far from fixed.

Behavior is classified in several ways. Some is innate, present from birth, while much is learned through experience. It can be voluntary or involuntary, conscious or unconscious, and verbal or non-verbal. Psychologists also distinguish social behavior, directed toward others, from individual behavior carried out alone.