Habit vs. Behavior: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A habit is a consistent and repetitive practice or routine, while behavior refers to the manner in which an individual acts or conducts themselves.
Key Differences
A habit is a repeated action or pattern that becomes automatic over time, like brushing teeth every morning. Behavior, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of actions and reactions, including those not regularly repeated, such as smiling when receiving a gift.
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Dec 21, 2023
Habits often form as a result of reinforcement and repeated practice, becoming almost involuntary, like checking a phone frequently. Behavior can be influenced by various factors, including environment and emotions, like crying during a sad movie.
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Dec 21, 2023
While habits are typically specific and consistent actions, behaviors can vary widely and include complex patterns, like interacting in social settings. Habits are a subset of behaviors, focusing on routine practices.
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Changing a habit usually requires conscious effort and time due to its ingrained nature, such as quitting smoking. Altering behavior can be more immediate and situational, like adjusting one's tone of voice in a professional setting.
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Habits are often personal and individual, like reading before bed. Behavior is a broader concept that includes both individual actions and reactions to external stimuli, like responding politely in a conversation.
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Dec 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A regular, often unconscious pattern
The way one acts in response to stimuli
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Habit and Behavior Definitions
Habit
A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior.
He had the habit of biting his nails when nervous.
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Behavior
Observable actions of a person or animal.
The teacher noted the student's disruptive behavior in class.
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Habit
An acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary.
Waking up early for a jog became a healthy habit for her.
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Behavior
The way in which something functions or operates.
The erratic behavior of the stock market can be confusing.
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Habit
A behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition.
Drinking two glasses of water every morning is a good habit.
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Behavior
The way in which an animal or person acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus.
The child's behavior changes when he's with his friends.
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Habit
A usual way of behaving.
It's his habit to read the newspaper with breakfast.
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Behavior
The response of an individual, group, or species to its environment.
Their behavior during the emergency was commendable.
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Habit
A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition
Made a habit of going to bed early.
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Behavior
The manner in which one acts or conducts oneself.
His polite behavior at the dinner impressed the guests.
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Habit
An established disposition of the mind or character
A pessimistic habit.
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Behavior
The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.
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Behavior
One of these actions or reactions
"a hormone ... known to directly control sex-specific reproductive and parenting behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrates" (Thomas Maugh II).
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Habit
Characteristic appearance, form, or manner of growth, especially of a plant or crystal
"The habit of an apple tree is fine for the small garden" (Robert Dash).
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Behavior
The manner in which something functions or operates
The faulty behavior of a computer program.
The behavior of dying stars.
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Habit
A distinctive set of clothing or style of dressing, especially of a religious order.
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Behavior
(uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
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Behavior
A state of probation about one's conduct.
He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
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Habit
An action performed on a regular basis.
It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
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Dec 13, 2023
Habit
An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.
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Dec 13, 2023
Behavior
Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting one's self; conduct; deportment; carriage; - used also of inanimate objects; as, the behavior of a ship in a storm; the behavior of the magnetic needle.
A gentleman that is very singular in his behavior.
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Habit
A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.
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Habit
A piece of clothing worn for a specific activity; a uniform.
The new riding habits of the team looked smashing!
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Behavior
The action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances;
The behavior of small particles can be studied in experiments
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Behavior
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
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Habit
Form of growth or general appearance and structure of a variety or species of plant or crystal.
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Behavior
(psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
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Habit
The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body.
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Habit
Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior.
A man of very shy, retired habits.
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Habit
Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.
There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits.
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Habit
The distinctive clothing worn commonly by nuns or monks; as, in the late 1900's many orders of nuns discarded their habits and began to dress as ordinary lay women.
How use doth breed a habit in a man!
He who reigns . . . upheld by old repute,Consent, or custom
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Habit
To dress; to clothe; to array.
They habited themselves like those rural deities.
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Habit
A pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition;
She had a habit twirling the ends of her hair
Long use had hardened him to it
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Habit
(religion) a distinctive attire (as the costume of a religious order)
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Habit
A tendency to perform a particular action.
She has a habit of checking her phone every few minutes.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can habits be changed easily?
Changing habits can be challenging as they are ingrained through repetition.
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Dec 21, 2023
What is a habit?
A habit is a regular, often involuntary pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition.
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Are all habits bad?
Not all habits are bad; some, like exercise or reading, are beneficial.
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How is behavior different from a habit?
Behavior is a broader term encompassing the way one acts, including habits, which are specific, repeated patterns.
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Dec 21, 2023
Can behavior be measured or analyzed scientifically?
Yes, behavior can be studied and analyzed through various scientific methods.
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Can behavior change over time?
Yes, behavior can change due to personal growth, experiences, and learning.
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What influences behavior?
Behavior can be influenced by internal states, such as emotions, and external stimuli.
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Is behavior always conscious?
Behavior can be both conscious and unconscious, depending on the situation.
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Can behavior be influenced by emotions?
Yes, emotions often play a significant role in shaping one's behavior.
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How long does it take to form a habit?
It varies, but it generally takes several weeks to months to form a habit.
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Can behavior be predicted?
Behavior can sometimes be predicted based on past patterns, but not always.
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Can habits influence our daily lives?
Yes, habits can significantly impact our daily routines and decision-making.
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Dec 21, 2023
Can behavior be controlled or managed?
Yes, individuals can learn to control and manage their behavior through self-regulation.
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Is behavior solely determined by genetics?
No, behavior results from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and learned factors.
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Can habits be beneficial for personal development?
Yes, cultivating positive habits can contribute to personal growth and success.
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Can habits be developed at any age?
Yes, habits can be developed and modified throughout one's life.
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Dec 21, 2023
Is behavior always intentional?
Behavior can be intentional or unintentional, depending on the circumstances.
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Is behavior consistent across all situations?
Not necessarily; behavior can vary depending on the context and social norms.
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Dec 21, 2023
Are all habits visible to others?
No, some habits may be private and not observable by others.
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Dec 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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