behavior is caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behavior is caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that influence or determine behavior in various contexts, such as psychology, sociology, or biology. Example: "Research shows that behavior is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And since all behavior is caused by our brains, wouldn't this mean all behavior could potentially be excused?

Harvard University

In constant selective environments, such metastable behavior is caused by two qualitatively different mechanisms.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

The uncontrollable behavior is caused by ill-defined architecture and might lead to system disruption.

Journal of Systems and Software

This behavior is caused by the variation of chemical kinetics with pressure.

Combustion and Flame

It is questionable whether this behavior is caused by the vertical component of the inclined compression chord Vcc.

Procedia Engineering

The behaviorist movement in psychology rejected mentalism, and argued that behavior is caused by environmental stimuli, without any intervening mental states.

University of California, Berkeley

This observation indicated that the shear-thickening behavior is caused by the formation of a larger number of network junctions.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Economists can then infer that different behavior was caused by the different treatment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He'd been acting peculiarly, and it wasn't clear whether his behavior was caused by some longstanding psychiatric issues or by his many medical problems and medications.

The New Yorker

This behavior was caused by the transition of fracture mode from surface-induced fracture to subsurface inclusion-induced fracture.

International Journal of Fatigue

(The authors seem to agree that his sometimes unusual behavior was caused by a form of epilepsy, much as one of van Gogh's doctors concluded).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing behavior, clearly identify the specific factors or influences that contribute to it. Be precise in describing the causal relationship to enhance clarity and understanding.

Common error

Avoid stating that "behavior is caused by" a single factor when multiple influences are at play. Acknowledge the complexity of behavioral causes by considering various contributing elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behavior is caused by" functions as a causal connector, explicitly stating a cause-and-effect relationship. It's used to explain why certain actions or reactions occur, as confirmed by the examples Ludwig provides. This phrase is particularly useful for establishing clear explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

Academia

20%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "behavior is caused by" serves as a direct causal connector, frequently used to explain actions across various disciplines. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, indicating a strong need for clarity and explanation. When writing, it is better to avoid oversimplification of complex causes and be mindful of the subtle differences with alternatives like "influenced by". With a rich range of examples and authoritative sources, this construction helps to establish clear cause-and-effect relationships in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behavior results from

A more formal alternative to "is caused by", emphasizing the outcome of certain conditions.

behavior is determined by

Emphasizes that behavior is strictly defined by specific factors.

behavior is influenced by

Indicates a less deterministic relationship, where behavior is affected but not entirely determined.

behavior is a consequence of

Highlights the behavioral outcome as a direct effect of preceding events or factors.

behavior is a product of

Presents behavior as the result of multiple contributing elements.

behavior stems from

Replaces "is caused by" with a more metaphorical expression, suggesting origin or root cause.

behavior arises from

Similar to "stems from", indicating the emergence of behavior from underlying factors.

behavior is driven by

Suggests a strong influence or motivation behind the behavior.

behavior originates in

Focuses on the starting point or source of the behavior.

factors leading to behavior

Focuses on identifying what influences the behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "behavior is caused by" in a sentence?

Use "behavior is caused by" to explain what factors or influences lead to a specific action or reaction. For example, "The dog's aggressive behavior is caused by fear."

What are some alternatives to saying "behavior is caused by"?

You can use alternatives like "behavior results from", "behavior stems from", or "behavior is influenced by" to express similar causal relationships.

Is it accurate to say all behavior has a single cause?

No, it's often an oversimplification to attribute behavior to a single cause. More often than not, "behavior is a product of" multiple interacting factors, including genetics, environment, and social influences.

How does "behavior is caused by" differ from "behavior is influenced by"?

"Behavior is caused by" implies a direct causal link, suggesting a stronger determinism. "Behavior is influenced by" suggests a less direct effect, where other factors may also contribute.