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

The research, led by neuropsychologist Sheena Dev, of NASA’s behavioral health and performance laboratory, was extensive. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024

This information will flow back to instructors to shape a student’s progression through the course. Data analytics and AI can also address non-cognitive challenges and behavioral concerns. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024

This starts by expanding access to treatments such as intensive behavioral therapy (IBT), comprehensive nutritional and mental health treatment and new, highly effective, anti-obesity medications. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talk therapy that teaches you to be more aware of your thought patterns and their impact on your emotions. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 28 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