What term describes behaviors that are not directly observable?

The term that describes behaviors that are not directly observable is "covert behaviors." Covert behaviors refer to internal processes or actions that take place within an individual, such as thoughts, feelings, or emotions, which cannot be seen from the outside. This contrasts with overt behaviors, which are visible and can be objectively measured and observed by others.

Covert behaviors are significant in the context of communication disorders, as they can influence an individual's expressive and receptive language capabilities. Understanding covert behaviors can help practitioners identify and address underlying issues that might not be immediately apparent through observation alone.

Discrete behaviors, while they may refer to specific, distinct actions, do not inherently imply the invisibility of those actions. Reinforced behaviors are actions that have been influenced by the consequences of previous actions but also do not focus on the observability of the behaviors themselves.