Definition of Behavior in English

The first thing we have to do to thoroughly analyze the term behavior is to establish its etymological origin. And in this sense, we would have to highlight that it emanates from Latin as it is made up of the following clearly delimited parts: the prefix with -, which is equivalent to “completely”; the verb portare, which is synonymous with “carry”; and the suffix – ment, which can be translated as “instrument”.

The behavior is the way to behave (conduct, behave). It is about the way of proceeding of people or organisms in the face of stimuli and in relation to the environment.

It is important and fundamental to establish that all behavior is influenced by a series of elements. Specifically, it is stipulated that it will be marked both by the culture of the person in question and by the social norms in their environment or the attitude they present at all times.

However, no less relevant is the fact that the behavior of any citizen is also influenced by their beliefs and by genetics.

All of them elements that will also influence to a greater or lesser extent the action of a person depending on their age.

Thus, for example, in the case of children, it is necessary to underline the fact that they act in a certain way based on a series of logical factors such as the following: their parents’ own behaviors and the relationship they maintain with them, hearing problems, the ability to control your attitude…

There are different modes of behavior, according to the circumstances in question. The conscious behavior is one that is performed after a process of reasoning. An example of this type of behavior is greeting an acquaintance when we see him on the street.

The unconscious behavior, on the other hand, occurs almost automatically since the subject does not stop to think or reflect on the action (such as scratching after a mosquito bite).

According to DigoPaul, the private behavior takes place in the privacy of the home or alone. In this case, the individual is not subject to the gaze of other people. Public behavior is the opposite, since it takes place in front of other human beings or in spaces shared with the rest of society.

For psychology, behavior is everything that a human being does in front of the environment. Each interaction of a person with his environment implies a behavior. When said behavior shows stable patterns, it can be called a behavior.

It is possible to speak of good behavior or bad behavior, depending on how the actions can be framed within social norms. A child misbehaves when he does not obey his parents and does not comply with what is ordered. In general, bad behavior generates punishment by the social authority (parents, teachers, a judge, etc.).

In addition to all the above, we would have to make known the existence of what is known as behavioral ecology. It is a term that is used to make known to the science that is in charge of carrying out the study of what animal behavior is, having evolution as its backbone.

Behavior