Behavior vs. Action: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Behavior refers to the manner in which one acts or conducts oneself, often reflecting character or attitude, while action is the process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
Key Differences
Behavior encompasses the range of actions and mannerisms exhibited by individuals in response to their environment or stimuli. In contrast, action specifically refers to a deliberate deed or movement undertaken with a purpose or goal.
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While behavior can be involuntary or subconscious, actions are usually conscious choices. Behavior is a broader term, often describing a pattern over time, whereas action is a specific and isolated event.
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Behavior is often observed as a response to external factors and can be indicative of one's character, whereas an action is a singular expression of choice or decision.
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Actions can influence behavior, as repeated actions can develop into behavioral patterns. Conversely, existing behaviors can dictate the type of actions an individual is likely to take.
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Both behavior and action are integral in understanding human psychology, with behavior providing a contextual background for interpreting specific actions.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Often a pattern or series of actions
A specific, individual act or deed
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Consciousness
Can be subconscious or involuntary
Typically a conscious decision
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Origin
Influenced by environment, genetics
Driven by intent, desire, or need
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Behavior and Action Definitions
Behavior
Behavior refers to the conduct of a person, especially in the presence of others.
His polite behavior at the dinner impressed the guests.
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Action
Action is the process of doing something to achieve a goal.
Taking immediate action is crucial in emergencies.
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Behavior
Behavior also encompasses the response of a system or machine to various inputs or stimuli.
The behavior of this software under heavy load is unpredictable.
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Action
Action refers to a deed done deliberately.
Her action of donating to charity was highly praised.
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Behavior
Behavior is the way in which one acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus.
Her calm behavior during the crisis was commendable.
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Action
The state or process of acting or doing
The medical team went into action.
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Action
Something that is done or accomplished; a deed. See Usage Note at act.
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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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Action
Organized activity to accomplish an objective
A problem requiring drastic action.
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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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Action
The causation of change by the exertion of power or a natural process
The action of waves on a beach.
The action of a drug on blood pressure.
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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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Behavior
(uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
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Action
(Law) A proceeding brought before a court to obtain relief; a lawsuit.
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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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Action
The most important or exciting work or activity in a specific field or area
Always heads for where the action is.
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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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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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Action
The series of events and episodes that form the plot of a story or play
The action of the novel takes place over 40 years in the South.
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Behavior
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
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Action
A series or number of fast-moving, exciting, or dangerous events, especially in a movie
Liked the film because there was so much action.
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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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Behavior
Behavior is the manner in which an organism interacts with its environment.
The behavior of dolphins is fascinating to researchers.
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Behavior
Behavior can describe the habitual actions of a person.
His punctual behavior is well-known among his colleagues.
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Action
The manner in which a musical instrument can be played; playability
A piano with quick action.
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Action
The way in which a mechanical device acts when used; especially a firearm.
Pressing a piano key causes the action of the hammer on the string
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Action
(firearms) The way in which cartridges are loaded, locked, and extracted from the mechanism.
Pump action shotgun
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Action
(music) The mechanism, that is the set of moving mechanical parts, of a keyboard instrument, like a piano, which transfers the motion of the key to the sound-making device.
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Action
The distance separating the strings and the fretboard on a guitar or other string instrument.
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Action
Sexual intercourse.
She gave him some action.
I hope to get a bit of action with the hot guy from the club.
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Action
(legal) A charge or other process in a law court (also called lawsuit and actio).
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Action
(mathematics) A mapping from a pairing of mathematical objects to one of them, respecting their individual structures. The pairing is typically a Cartesian product or a tensor product. The object that is not part of the output is said to act on the other object. In any given context, action is used as an abbreviation for a more fully named notion, like group action or left group action.
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Action
(physics) The product of energy and time, especially the product of the Lagrangian and time.
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Action
The event or connected series of events, either real or imaginary, forming the subject of a play, poem, or other composition; the unfolding of the drama of events.
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Action
The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
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Action
(obsolete) A share in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in the public funds.
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Action
(religion) A religious performance or solemn function, i.e. action sermon, a sacramental sermon in the Scots Presbyterian Church.
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Action
(science) a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings).
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Action
Demanding or signifying the start of something, usually a performance.
The director yelled ‘Action!’ after the cameras started rolling.
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Action
A process or condition of acting or moving, as opposed to rest; the doing of something; exertion of power or force, as when one body acts on another; the effect of power exerted on one body by another; agency; activity; operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action.
One wise in council, one in action brave.
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Action
An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
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Action
The event or connected series of events, either real or imaginary, forming the subject of a play, poem, or other composition; the unfolding of the drama of events.
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Action
Any one of the active processes going on in an organism; the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice.
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Action
Gesticulation; the external deportment of the speaker, or the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures, and countenance, to the subject, or to the feelings.
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Action
The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
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Action
A suit or process, by which a demand is made of a right in a court of justice; in a broad sense, a judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense.
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Action
A share in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in the public funds; hence, in the plural, equivalent to stocks.
The Euripus of funds and actions.
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Action
An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action.
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Action
The mechanical contrivance by means of which the impulse of the player's finger is transmitted to the strings of a pianoforte or to the valve of an organ pipe.
To poke the fire is an act, to reconcile friends who have quarreled is a praiseworthy action.
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Action
Something done (usually as opposed to something said);
There were stories of murders and other unnatural actions
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Action
A judicial proceeding brought by one party against another; one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong
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Action
An act by a government body or supranational organization;
Recent federal action undermined the segregationist position
The United Nations must have the power to propose and organize action without being hobbled by irrelevant issues
The Union action of emancipating Southern slaves
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Action
A process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings);
The action of natural forces
Volcanic activity
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Action
The series of events that form a plot;
His novels always have a lot of action
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Action
The operating part that transmits power to a mechanism;
The piano had a very stiff action
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Action
The trait of being active and energetic and forceful;
A man of action
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Action
The most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field;
The action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds
Gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible
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Action
Institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against;
He was warned that the district attorney would process him
She actioned the company for discrimination
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Action
Put in effect;
Carry out a task
Execute the decision of the people
He actioned the operation
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Action
Action can denote movement or the mechanism of moving parts.
The action of the clock's hands is smooth.
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Action
In legal terms, action means a formal proceeding or lawsuit.
They filed an action against the company for damages.
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Action
Action also represents a significant or exciting event.
The movie was full of fast-paced action.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is behavior?
Behavior is the manner in which a person acts or conducts themselves.
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Are behavior patterns important in psychology?
Yes, they help in understanding an individual's character and reactions.
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Can behavior be modified?
Yes, through various techniques like conditioning or therapy.
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What defines an action?
An action is a specific deed done to achieve an objective.
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Is behavior influenced by the environment?
Yes, environment plays a significant role in shaping behavior.
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Is every action purposeful?
Generally, actions are purposeful, but some may be aimless.
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Can behavior be involuntary?
Yes, some behaviors are involuntary or subconscious.
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Do behaviors affect relationships?
Yes, behaviors significantly impact interpersonal relationships.
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Are all actions conscious?
Most actions are conscious, though some can be reflexive or involuntary.
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How are actions evaluated?
Actions are often evaluated based on their outcomes or intentions.
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Do actions reflect personality?
Actions can reflect aspects of a person's personality and character.
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Can actions be misinterpreted?
Yes, without context, actions can be misunderstood.
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Are actions influenced by emotions?
Yes, emotions can strongly influence the type of actions one takes.
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Is behavior always a response to stimuli?
Not always, some behaviors are habitual or ingrained.
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How are actions and behaviors related?
Actions are part of behaviors; behaviors are a pattern of actions.
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Can behaviors be innate?
Yes, some behaviors are innate or genetically influenced.
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Can actions change behavior?
Repeated actions can develop into new behaviors over time.
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Is action linked to motivation?
Yes, motivation is often a driving force behind actions.
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Can one's behavior predict their actions?
Often, but not always, as individuals can act unpredictably.
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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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