The correct spelling of the word "behaviour" is a common issue for many English speakers. It is important to differentiate it from the American spelling "behavior". The phonetic transcription for "behaviour" is /bɪˈheɪvjə/. Note that the "u" in "behaviour" is pronounced as a schwa sound, while the "v" is pronounced as "v" rather than "b". The "i" and "our" sounds in "behaviour" are two separate syllables, which is why it is spelled with a "u" rather than simply "behavior".
Behaviour is a broad term used to describe the actions, conduct, or mannerisms displayed by individuals or organisms in response to various stimuli or situations. It refers to the observable and measurable activities, both conscious and unconscious, that result from the interactions of an entity with its environment or surroundings.
Behaviour encompasses a wide range of activities that may include physical, verbal, or mental processes. It includes any action, reaction, or response that can be observed or perceived by others or oneself. Behaviour can be intentional, purposeful, or instinctual, often influenced by internal and external factors such as emotions, thoughts, culture, social norms, or biological predispositions.
In the context of human beings, behaviour plays a crucial role in communication, social interactions, and the overall functioning of societies. It can be influenced by personal characteristics, attitudes, values, beliefs, and motivations, as well as external factors like social roles, expectations, and environmental conditions.
Behaviour is a subject of study in fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and biology. Researchers and theorists seek to understand and explain behaviour through various theoretical frameworks, including cognitive, behavioral, social, and biological perspectives.
Understanding behaviour is essential in fields like education, healthcare, and decision-making, as it helps shape policies, interventions, and strategies aimed at promoting positive behaviours, modifying negative ones, or predicting and managing outcomes based on behavioural patterns.
Conduct, good or bad; manners.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "behaviour" has its origins in Middle English and comes from the Old French term "comportement", meaning "deportment" or "conduct". The Old French word was derived from the verb "comporter", meaning "to behave" or "to conduct oneself". This verb originated from the Latin term "comportare", composed of the prefix "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the verb "portare" (meaning "to carry" or "to bear"). Therefore, the etymology of "behaviour" suggests the idea of carrying oneself in a particular manner or conducting oneself in a specific way.