behavioral

adjective

be·​hav·​ior·​al bi-ˈhā-vyə-rəl 

bē-

1

: of or relating to behavior : pertaining to reactions made in response to social stimuli

behavioral problems

behavioral similarities

Half of all potential guide dogs don't get final clearance because of medical or behavioral issues.

—Cassie Kreitner

2

: relating to or concerned with the social, psychological, and emotional factors that affect financial decisions and behavior

behavioral economics

Behavioral finance … holds that financial man—far from the perfect, mechanical trader depicted in textbooks—is a rather neurotic fellow. He follows the crowd, fails to plan ahead and often makes mistakes.

—Roger Lowenstein

behaviorally

bi-ˈhā-vyə-rə-lē 

bē-

adverb

… gradually came to the conclusion that the wild dogs are physically and behaviorally distinct enough to constitute a uniform breed.

—Christine Mlot

Examples of behavioral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This subjectivity — the reliance on human judgement in the absence of crystal clear, objective data — opens the door to all sorts of cognitive biases and errors long documented by behavioral economists and psychologists. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024

Beyond traditional performance metrics, evaluations should include behavioral indicators and 360-degree feedback mechanisms that incorporate input from peers, subordinates and even external stakeholders. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The program is made up of licensed behavioral health professionals to respond to people in crisis. —Peter Blanchard, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024

Along those lines, holidays often trigger underlying behavioral health issues. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing behavioral

• behavioral modification
• behavioral science
• behavioral therapist
• behavioral therapy
• cognitive behavioral therapy