behavioural
relating to how people or animals act
Connected with how a person or animal behaves or acts, especially in a regular way.
behavioural [noun]
- Teachers reported serious behavioural problems in several of the children.
- The study looked at behavioural changes in patients after the treatment.
- New laws are based on insights from behavioural economics.
- The clinic offers behavioural therapy for people with anxiety disorders.
- Researchers observed clear behavioural patterns in the birds during the breeding season.
- Their son is having behavioural problems at school.
- Scientists study animal behaviour in a behavioural lab.
- The doctor suggested behavioural therapy instead of more medicine.
- We saw a big behavioural change after she started the new job.
- The book explains how small things can lead to behavioural changes.
behavioural change
1a change in behaviour
A clear difference in the way a person or group acts compared with before.
- The campaign aims to create long-term behavioural change in how people use energy.
- Doctors warned that sudden behavioural change can be a sign of illness.
behavioural economics
1economics that studies real behaviour
A branch of economics that looks at how people really behave and make decisions, not how they are expected to behave in simple economic models.
- Behavioural economics shows that people do not always act in a rational way.
- Governments often use ideas from behavioural economics when designing tax policy.
behavioural issues
1concerns about the way someone behaves
Concerns or problems with how a person acts, often used as a softer or more general term than "behavioural problems".
- The manager spoke privately to him about some behavioural issues at work.
- Parents were invited to a meeting to discuss behavioural issues in the classroom.
behavioural patterns
1regular ways someone behaves
Regular and repeated ways in which a person or group behaves.
- The app tracks your behavioural patterns and suggests ways to improve your sleep.
- Researchers found similar behavioural patterns across different cultures.
behavioural problems
1difficulties in how someone behaves
Problems shown in a person’s actions, such as being very aggressive, rude, or unable to follow basic rules.
- The school has a special unit for children with serious behavioural problems.
- Early support can prevent minor behavioural problems from becoming more severe.
behavioural therapy
1therapy to change behaviour
A type of treatment in which a therapist helps a person change unhelpful or harmful behaviours.
- Behavioural therapy is often used to treat phobias and anxiety.
- The child responded well to behavioural therapy and is now calmer in class.
behavioural science
1science that studies behaviour
A field of science that studies how people and animals behave and why they behave in certain ways.
- She has a degree in behavioural science.
- She is doing a master’s degree in behavioural science.
- Behavioural science helps us understand social problems.
- Behavioural science has become important in designing public health campaigns.