= Behavior
In <psychology>, <behavior> is what an <organism> does, described through actions or responses in a specified setting. A keypress, a spoken answer and a shift of gaze can all be measured, but they provide different evidence about the processes producing them. An <operational definition> states what will count as the response in a particular investigation.
For an original example, a <learning> task might measure how often a participant chooses a rewarded symbol and how long each choice takes. Choice frequency and <reaction time> are distinct outcomes: two participants can make equally accurate choices while taking different amounts of <time>. Neither measure alone establishes whether a difference arises from <attention>, comprehension, motivation or motor demands. The interpretation requires a model and suitable comparison conditions.
This distinction is central to <construct validity>: recording a response reliably does not by itself show that it measures the intended <psychological construct>. A report of an <emotion> is also a response to a question, rather than an unmediated measurement of every component of the <emotion>.
Back to article page
