proclivity
Noun
Hard difficulty
What does “proclivity” mean?
noun.a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing.
SAT Usage
the term often appears in passages discussing psychology, behavior, or personal choices, highlighting a natural or habitual inclination toward certain actions or preferences. It emphasizes an inherent tendency rather than a conscious decision, distinguishing it from similar terms like "predilection," which may imply a more subjective or favorable bias.
Common Confusions
Proclivity implies a natural tendency toward a behavior or choice, while predilection usually suggests a more subjective preference or bias for something specific.
Example Sentences
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The child has a proclivity for exaggeration.
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She has a proclivity for taking risks.
Word Parts: How to Remember “proclivity”
Break “proclivity” into its parts: pro- (forward, in favor of). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
pro-forward, in favor of (Latin)