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

Many behavioral support groups can assist, such as 12-step programs and individual therapy. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Virginia stretched that arc of accountability even further this week to include a school official in that case, who a grand jury concluded had failed to act on warnings about the boy and his behavioral problems. —Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Ultimately, Brittain said that this research shows that one’s genetics don’t necessarily mean that personal behavioral changes can’t alter one’s overall health. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 Apr. 2024

The article states there are many reasons why a solar eclipse may spark behavioral changes. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024

But while behavioral specialists, therapists, and counseling services have struggled to keep up with the onslaught, relatively inexpensive antidepressants haven’t. —Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024

Catnip is a common herb of the mint family and can cause behavioral changes in cats, according to petmd.com. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024

Counseling or behavioral therapy can also help sufferers not only to deal with some symptoms but also to manage the cycles of the disease, as well as the waxing and waning of energy levels. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024

Depending on the type and severity of urinary incontinence, a healthcare provider may prescribe behavioral modification, weight loss, or physical therapy or recommend medication or surgical management. —Madeleine Burry, Health, 30 Mar. 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