Words / B1

bi-HAYV-y-uh-r-uh-l/bɪˈheɪvjərəl/

Behavioural means connected with behaviour (UK spelling): behavioural problems; behavioural science. Behavioral is US. Behaviour is the noun (already in the dictionary). Behavioural is common in schools, psychology, and economics (behavioural economics). Do not use it for a broken machine — that is mechanical / technical.

Meaning

Connected with the way people or animals behave (UK spelling).

Examples

• “The school hired a behavioural specialist for the younger pupils.”
• “The school appointed a behavioural specialist for the younger years.”
• “Behavioural economics studies how people actually choose, not only how textbooks say they should.”

Good to know

UK: behavioural. US: behavioral. Noun: behaviour. Fields: schools, psychology, behavioural economics.

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