以上单词均有行为举态的含义。其中，behavior为最常用词汇，可用作指人们的一切行为，包括单独或集体，其可为精神病学者、社会学家、人类学家研究的对象，常指积极或消极的社会行为活动[1] 。 conduct也可用作指个人行为活动，不论是以作为或不作为的方式予以表示[2]，但从技术含义上讲其没有behavior 强烈， 其修饰的行为范畴比behavior窄，常暗示遵循或违反一种固定的规则，如：a prison sentence commuted for good conduct； 此外，conduct还有一种用伦理或道德标准来衡量behavior 的含义。demeanor常指具体的个人在特定的时间的外在行为举止，含有对该人的服饰、声音、手势、态度及表情的一种评价。陪审团可用作判断证人的信誉[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).