“Behavioral” or “Behavioural”—What's the difference?

Usage by country

Where each spelling is used

Of the 12 countries below, 8 prefer “behavioral” and 4 prefer “behavioural”. Usage levels are out of 100; the more common spelling in each country is in bold.

Usage level out of 100 (if available).
Country	behavioral	behavioural	Preference
United States	99	1	“behavioral”
United Kingdom	38	62	“behavioural”
India	60	40	“behavioral”
Philippines	94	6	“behavioral”
Canada	52	48	“behavioral”
Australia	28	72	“behavioural”
Liberia	100	0	“behavioral”
Ireland	33	67	“behavioural”
New Zealand	33	67	“behavioural”
Jamaica	60	40	“behavioral”
Trinidad & Tobago	58	42	“behavioral”
Guyana	63	37	“behavioral”

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“behavioral”

The sanctuary also hosts veterinary, behavioral, animal care and organizational development…
The Associates Behavioral Science Building was built in…
…Meridan Zerner said: "We want behavioral changes and dietary changes that…
…two main branches of neuropharmacology: behavioral and molecular.
…that some of the diagnostic behavioral characteristics may result from an…
…therapy, cognitive remediation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and metacognitive training.
…types of social reactions such behavioral violations engender, and an analysis…
Behavioral economists have incorporated discrepancies between…
…capacity classrooms, conference rooms, a behavioral lab and the 295-seat J.R.…
…of individual choice to represent behavioral patterns.

“behavioural”

…an editor of the journals Behavioural Processes and Behavior & Philosophy.
…for studies reporting associations between behavioural addictions (pathological gambling, problematic internet…
The Controlled Behavioural Unit, known as the CBU…
…probably as a result of behavioural triggers.
…to social structure, habitat and behavioural ecology.
…people who present emotional and behavioural challenges, those with more complex…
…people with social, emotional and behavioural disorders.
…for students with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
…the central unifying concept in behavioural ecology.
Kai Purnhagen, "The Behavioural Law and Economics of the…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license.

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