behaviors

How one acts

Behaviors is the plural of behavior, referring to multiple actions, conduct patterns, or ways of acting.

The word appears frequently in psychology and education: The therapist helped identify problematic behaviors.

In computing, behaviors are programmed responses: The software exhibits unexpected behaviors under heavy load.

The singular is more common for general conduct; the plural emphasizes distinct, countable actions.

etiquette

manners

Customs of polite conduct

courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
civilityFormal politeness in conduct

decorum · propriety · protocol · respect · tact · diplomacy · formality · deference · demeanor · grace

actions

perform

Execute or present

executeCarry out fully
engageActively participate or connect
reactAnswer a stimulus

respond · interact · conduct · act · proceed · initiate · participate · undertake · operate · function

habits

routine

Regular sequence of actions

ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
customsTraditional practices or import taxes
practicesRepeated training sessions

tendencies · inclinations · patterns · repetition · conditioning · quirks · idiosyncrasies · compulsions · addictions · vices

psychology

cognition

Mental knowledge acquisition

motivationImpetus toward a goal
conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
reinforcementAdding support or encouragement

stimulus · response · learning · adaptation · modification · therapy · cognitive · developmental · abnormal · socialization

instincts

reflexes

Automatic physical responses

survivalRemaining alive against odds
fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
territorialDefensive about owned space

mating · courtship · nesting · migration · foraging · homing · maternal · predatory · prey · flocking

patterns

predictable

Able to be foreseen

repetitiveMarked by recurrence
cyclicalRepeating in rounds
consistentNot varying or contradicting

erratic · sporadic · systematic · recurring · sequential · observable · measurable · tracking · analysis · deviation

Categories

workplace culturework hours, teamwork, dress codes, leadership, meetings
market researchsurveys, focus group, focus groups, survey, market reports
consumer insightspsychographics, demographics, attitudes, values, interests
internalized beliefsvalues, beliefs, morals, attitudes, worldview
AI systemsexpert systems, knowledge base, inference, knowledge bases, fuzzy logic
self-reflectionjournaling, self-reflection, self-awareness, introspection, self-examination

Opposites

internal vs. external manifestation

behaviorsthoughts

Mental reflections

feelings · emotions · beliefs · mental states · attitudes

action vs. inaction

behaviorsinaction

Deliberate nonmovement

stillness · inactivity · passivity · quiescence · idleness

conduct quality

behaviorsmisbehaviors

Improper acts or conduct

misconduct · misdeeds · malfeasances · wrongdoing · transgressions

Phrases

good behaviorAcceptable, rule-following conduct
best behaviorExemplary conduct on display
human behaviorPeople's actions and reactions
time off for good behavior
courtly behaviorFormal elegance of manner
reproductive behaviorActions producing young

Family

behavior, misbehavior, behaviour, behaviours, behavioral, behavioural, behaviorist, behaviorism, behaviorally

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G