behavioral science
noun
: 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
Examples of behavioral science in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Adderall shortage can have a compounding effect on people who are also trying to manage their ADHD in ways that complement the medication, said Dr. John Mitchell, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine.
—
Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
One is Pablo Juarez, a senior associate in pediatrics, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and special education at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024
The results are strong on their own but are also supported by an existing body of literature, said Dr. David Neubauer, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
The Royals rely on multiple departments, such as sports science and behavioral science nutrition, to generate a holistic look at each player.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2024
Make resolutions specific and track your progress Setting too broad a goal for the new year is a recipe for failure, said Ayelet Fishbach, a professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
—Katie Mogg, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2024
The discipline of judgment and decision-making had made crucial, enduring contributions—the foundation laid by Kahneman and Tversky, for example—but the broader credibility of the behavioral sciences had been compromised by a perpetual-motion machine of one-weird-trick gimmickry.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023
Why managers think that such statements are OK A big part of it comes from biases common to anyone with a passing familiarity of behavioral science, namely confirmation and anchoring biases.
—Paul Sullivan, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2024
How City Life Affects Our Wellbeing In contrast, Sheehan Fisher, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University, says city living has benefits, such as the ability to engage with diverse individuals, food, and culture.
—Brittany Edelmann, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
One is Pablo Juarez, a senior associate in pediatrics, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and special education at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024
The results are strong on their own but are also supported by an existing body of literature, said Dr. David Neubauer, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
The Royals rely on multiple departments, such as sports science and behavioral science nutrition, to generate a holistic look at each player.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2024
Make resolutions specific and track your progress Setting too broad a goal for the new year is a recipe for failure, said Ayelet Fishbach, a professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
—Katie Mogg, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2024
The discipline of judgment and decision-making had made crucial, enduring contributions—the foundation laid by Kahneman and Tversky, for example—but the broader credibility of the behavioral sciences had been compromised by a perpetual-motion machine of one-weird-trick gimmickry.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023
Why managers think that such statements are OK A big part of it comes from biases common to anyone with a passing familiarity of behavioral science, namely confirmation and anchoring biases.
—Paul Sullivan, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2024
How City Life Affects Our Wellbeing In contrast, Sheehan Fisher, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University, says city living has benefits, such as the ability to engage with diverse individuals, food, and culture.
—Brittany Edelmann, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behavioral science.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1937, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of behavioral science was
in 1937
Dictionary Entries Near behavioral science
Cite this Entry
“Behavioral science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavioral%20science. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on behavioral science
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about behavioral science
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