Which statement best defines covert behavior?

Covert behavior is defined as actions or processes that occur internally within an individual and cannot be directly observed by others. This includes thoughts, feelings, and internal motivations that influence behavior but remain hidden from outside observation. For example, someone may feel anxious or have a specific thought, but those internal experiences cannot be seen by others directly, making it covert.

In the context of behavior analysis and psychological assessment, understanding covert behavior is crucial as it helps practitioners recognize that not all significant aspects of a person's experience are observable; indeed, many important factors that influence behavior lie beneath the surface. Consequently, therapists and counselors often rely on self-reports and indirect measures to assess these internal processes, reflecting the reliance on tools to comprehend what is inherently private to the individual.