behavioral science

noun

1. a science or branch of learning, as psychology or sociology, that derives its concepts from observation of the behavior of living organisms.

behavioral science

/ bĭ-hāv′yə-rəl /

1. Any of various scientific disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, or psychology, in which the actions and reactions of humans and animals are studied through observational and experimental methods.

Other Words From

• behavioral scientist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of behavioral science¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

He’s a professor of computation and behavioral science at the University of Chicago, MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, and author.

From Freakonomics

If you’re trying to understand somebody more holistically, you can use newer behavioral science tools to do that.

From MIT Technology Review

Leading the team will be new hire and senior vp Steve Grant, who has spent nearly 20 years working in the fields of behavioral science and behavioral economics, not only in academia and consultancies, but also with marketers including Prudential.

From Digiday

What they got wrong is the communications, the behavioral science and the all-of-government approach that needs to be coordinated on the local level.

From Science News

We really need to redefine epidemiology as, at least in part, behavioral science.

From Science News