Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between Habit and Behavior

Habit vs Behavior

Habit and behavior of a person are used in describing that person’s character. However there is a lot of difference between habit and behavior. Behavior refers to the actions of a living being or a system in response to the environment. It is the response of the system or the individual to various external impulsions.

A habit on the other hand is a routine of behavior. It occurs when the routine is repeated regularly. Another important feature of a habit is that it occurs subconsciously. While engaging in a habit one is not conscious of the routine of behavior. This is the main difference between habit and behavior.

It is interesting to note that habits are sometimes compulsory. Behavior on the other hand is said to be controlled by the endocrine system and nervous system. Hence it is believed that the complexity in the nervous system would result in the complexity in the behavior too.

Habit formation is the process by which a behavior becomes a habit. On the other hand a habit cannot become behavior because of the fact that one is not conscious of one’s habit. Behavior on the other hand can be innate or learned from outside sources.

Behavior is repeated by a person who is conscious of it whereas a habit is repeated by a person who is not conscious of it. This is one of the main differences between habit and behavior. Researchers have found out that automatic behavior is unintentional in nature. Automatic behavior is something akin to habit in the sense that both are unintentional.

Behavior is regarded as any action of an individual or a system that changes his or its relationship to his or its environment. Behavior is the output from the individual or the system to the environment. On the other hand habit is the input from the environment to the individual. Habits die hard goes the saying.