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Agency vs Behaviour - What's the difference?

agency | behaviour |

As nouns the difference between agency and behaviour

is that agency is the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; action or activity; operation while behaviour is the way a living creature behaves or acts.

agency

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(agencies)
  • The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; action or activity; operation.
    • The superintendence and agency of Providence in the natural world. --Woodward.
  • A person or thing through which power is exerted or an end is achieved: instrumentality, means.
  • The office or function of an agent; also, the relationship between a principal and that person's agent.
  • An establishment engaged in doing business for another; also, the place of business or the district of such an agency.
  • A department or other administrative unit of a government; also, the office or headquarters of, or the district administered by such unit of government.
    • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
    Central Intelligence Agency

    Synonyms

    * action * operation * efficiency * instrumentality * management

    Derived terms

    {{der3, dating agency , employment agency , escort agency , introduction agency , news agency , press agency , relief agency , syndication agency , travel agency}}

    Related terms

    * act * action * agent

    External links

    *

    behaviour

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (US) * (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The way a living creature behaves or acts.
    • She can't stop the strange behaviour because she has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
  • * 2014 , A teacher, " Choosing a primary school: a teacher's guide for parents", The Guardian , 23 September 2014:
    • Teachers will probably be on their best behaviour for your visit – but don't be upset if they don't even notice you; they've got enough going on.
  • The way a device or system operates.

    • Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "behaviour" include: human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive.

    Related terms

    * behave * behaved * behavioural * behaviouralism * behaviouralist * behaviourism * behaviourist * behaviouristic * behaviour pattern * behavioural science

    Derived terms

    * human behaviour