Tendency Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
tendency
[หtษndษnsi ]
Definitions
social behavior
An inclination or a predisposition to act in a certain way or to move in a particular direction.
Synonyms
inclination, leaning, propensity, trend.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| tendency |
Used to describe a general direction in which something is developing or changing, often over a period of time.
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| inclination |
Refers to a person's natural way of wanting to act or feel a certain way. Often used in personal contexts.
|
| propensity |
Used to describe a natural tendency to behave in a particular way, especially a tendency that may be viewed negatively.
|
| trend |
Refers to the general direction in which something is moving, usually in a more specific or shorter time frame, often used in contexts like fashion, technology, and social behavior.
|
| leaning |
Indicates a preference or a predisposition towards something, often used in a more casual or softer context.
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Examples of usage
- The tendency of people to conform to societal norms.
- There is a tendency for individuals to seek out like-minded individuals.
- She has a tendency to procrastinate when faced with difficult tasks.
statistics
A general direction in which something tends to move.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| tendency |
Used when referring to a general pattern of behavior or inclination over time.
|
| trend |
Used to indicate a general direction in which something is developing or changing, often in social, economic, or fashion contexts.
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| direction |
Used to describe the course or path on which something is moving or pointing.
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| trajectory |
Used when referring to the path followed by an object moving under the action of given forces, or metaphorically for a course of events or progress over time.
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Examples of usage
- There is a tendency for the data to show a positive correlation.
- The graph illustrates the increasing tendency of sales over the past year.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Humans often exhibit tendencies based on learned behavior from past experiences, shaping how they respond in future situations.
- Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, reflect a tendency to favor information that aligns with pre-existing beliefs.
- People's tendencies can also be influenced by their environments, such as the cultures and societies they grow up in.
Sociology
- Social tendencies can shape group behaviors, such as the tendency to conform in a crowd, where individuals may align their thoughts with the majority.
- Collective behavior often shows trends, like the tendency of people to engage in similar activities during major events, such as public celebrations or protests.
- Communication styles can reveal tendencies based on cultural backgrounds, affecting how different groups express emotions or opinions.
Economics
- In behavioral economics, tendencies can influence consumer behavior, illustrating how people often buy based on impulse rather than logic.
- The tendency to exhibit risk-averse behavior can affect investment choices, leading many to prefer safer assets even when higher returns are possible.
- Market trends often emerge from collective tendencies, where investors' behavior can lead to boom or bust cycles in economies.
Education
- Teaching styles can accommodate different learning tendencies, which is why educators often diversify their methods to reach various students.
- Some learners show a strong tendency towards visual learning, preferring images and diagrams over text-heavy teaching.
- Understanding students' tendencies can help tailor educational experiences, making learning more effective and engaging.
Origin of 'tendency'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'tendency' comes from the Latin word 'tendere,' which means 'to stretch' or 'to extend,' suggesting an inclination towards something.
- It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally describing a natural inclination or leaning towards a certain action.
- Over time, its meaning expanded to cover various patterns of behavior and thought processes.
The word 'tendency' originates from the Latin word 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch'. It first appeared in English in the 1620s with the sense of 'inclination, leaning'. Over time, it evolved to encompass the idea of a predisposition or a direction in which something tends to move.
See also: distend, tend, tendencies, tender, tending, tension, untended.