behavioral science

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a branch of science (such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior in society

behavioral scientist noun

behavioral scientist

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a specialist in behavioral science

Examples of behavioral science in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As organizations begin to bring employees back to the office, employers should ensure that those who come in have other co-workers present, says Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, who wasn't involved in the study. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 June 2026

Becca Levy, professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Yale School of Public Health, makes the point in the Journal of Geriatrics. —Helen Dennis, Daily News, 30 May 2026

Atlassian's internal research, conducted through its 13-person behavioral science Teamwork Lab, quantifies the disconnect. —Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026

Our research on the behavioral science of change shows that successful transformation depends on whether people trust and participate in the change. —Julia Dhar, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1937, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for behavioral science

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience

Medical Definition

behavioral science

noun

: a science (as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals with human action and seeks to generalize about human behavior in society

behavioral scientist noun