以上單詞均有行為舉態(tài)的含義。其中，behavior為最常用詞匯，可用作指人們的一切行為，包括單獨(dú)或集體，其可為精神病學(xué)者、社會學(xué)家、人類學(xué)家研究的對象，常指積極或消極的社會行為活動[1] 。 conduct也可用作指個人行為活動，不論是以作為或不作為的方式予以表示[2]，但從技術(shù)含義上講其沒有behavior 強(qiáng)烈， 其修飾的行為范疇比behavior窄，常暗示遵循或違反一種固定的規(guī)則，如：a prison sentence commuted for good conduct； 此外，conduct還有一種用倫理或道德標(biāo)準(zhǔn)來衡量behavior 的含義。demeanor常指具體的個人在特定的時間的外在行為舉止，含有對該人的服飾、聲音、手勢、態(tài)度及表情的一種評價(jià)。陪審團(tuán)可用作判斷證人的信譽(yù)[3]。
 
[1]“ Behavior is the most general of these; at its most technical，it refers to all activity of people，singly or collectively，that might be studied by psychologists，sociologists or anthropologists. ”Cf. The Editors of The Header's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 41，The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[2] "The word conduct. . . covers both act and omissions. . . In cases in which a man is able to show that his conduct, whether in the form of action or inaction，was involuntary, he must not be held liable for any harmful result produced by it. ” Cf. J. W. Cecil Turner， Kenny's Outlines of Criminal Law, 13 n. 2，at p. 24 16th edition, 1952.
[3] "Outward appearance or behavior, such as facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures ,and the hesitation or readiness to answer questions. In evaluating a witness's credibility, the jury may consider the witness's demeanor. ” Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 442, West Group (1999).