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Propensity vs Behavior - What's the difference?

propensity | behavior |

As nouns the difference between propensity and behavior

is that propensity is a tendency, preference, or attraction while behavior is (uncountable) human conduct relative to social norms.

propensity

English

Noun

(propensities)
  • A tendency, preference, or attraction.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katie L. Burke
    • , title= In the News , volume=101, issue=3, page=193, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.}}

    Synonyms

    * proclivity * propension

    Related terms

    * propense

    behavior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * behaviour (everywhere except US) * (l), (l), (l), (l)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
  • (uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
  • (uncountable, informal) A state of probation about one's conduct.
    • He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
  • (countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
  • (countable, uncountable, biology, psychology) Observable response produced by an organism.
  • (uncountable) The way a device or system operates.

    • Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "behavior": 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

    (the actions of organisms) * behave * behavioral * behavioralism * behavioralist * behaviorism * behaviorist * behavioristic * behavior pattern * behavioral science

    External links

    * * English words prefixed with be-