What is the difference between reaction and response ?

Response comes from the mind; it requires thought.

Reaction comes from the emotions; it lacks control.

That's a really good question.

Although the Concise Oxford Dictionary (10th edition) doesn't shed much light on the discrepancy between these two words, I think it lies mainly in their use:

In term's of people's reactions and responses to various events/stimuli:

- A reaction tends to be something that is automatic, involuntary and somehow intrinsic. A reaction often encompasses many facets; i.e. a reaction can be physical, emotional AND psychological etc. all at once. It tends to be something that a person finds hard to stifle or suppress - because it is an innate reply to some occurrence.

- A response tends to be something that is slightly more thought-out - a reaction that is constructed based on some set of values. A response might be verbal feedback - and in this sense, the word 'response' is similar to its other definition - which is an actual reply (such as a letter, comment or email etc.) A response seems to have more substantiation than a reaction.

HOWEVER - this is only in general use. There are of course, many, many, many exceptions and I would by no means consider the above definitive. In fact, I would say that in general use, these words can be used interchangeably, for instance:

- A 'fight-or-flight response' is the 'reaction' of your body to a sudden shock/fright etc., when it suddenly is engorged with adrenaline (epinephrine) and is raring to go. According to my above description, this would be classified as a 'reaction', however, many bodily 'reactions' are commonly described as 'responses'.

- Similarly, one might say that critics had a 'bad reaction' to a film or book, which would be demonstrated by their reviews etc. Now these reviews, according to my previous descriptions, would be classified as 'responses', as they are thought-out compositions. However, it is common to refer to critics/audiences as having 'good/bad reactions' to media. (However, in this instance, I would personally choose the word 'response', as I feel it sounds more correct.)

At the end of the day, in my opinion, 'response' implies consideration, and 'reaction' implies automatism. Yet the choice between one or the other ultimately depends on context.

Hope this helps.

REACTION---FOR EVERY ACTION THERE WILL BE A REACTION,THE KINDS OF REACTION MAY BE SAFTY MEASURE, SPONTANEOUS, EQUAL OR MORE FURIOUS IF THE ACTION IS HARMFUL, FOR INSTANCE IF A FIRE BROKE OUT THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSE WILL IMMEDIATELY RUNOUT LEAVING EVERYTHING THEY EARNED.

RESPONSE---THE RESPONCE TO AN ISSUE MAYBE SLOW ,OR IMMEDIAT.HERE THERE WILL BE TIME TO THINK OVER THE MATTER AND GIVE A PROPER REPLY OR RESPONSE.HERE THE PROS AND CONS WILL BE PROPERLY THOUGHT OVER .

THERE IS A MINUTE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REACTION AND RESPONSE.

reaction- instinct, whatever way you might react in when something happens

response- involves a thought process, might relate to reaction if you practice enough

like if you get hit, your immediate reaction might be to hit someone back

but with practice, you could change your reaction so you flip or trip that person, which might be seen as a response, but it would happen automatically because of much practice

A reaction is automatic and usually immediate. A response includes a reaction, but can be and usually is considered, and not necessarily immediate.

Reaction is automatic.

Response is the result of some thought process.

Difference Between Respond And React

a reaction can be physical, while a response is usually verbal.

Reaction is the way you act when you hear it. Response is the way you respond or say when you hear somethign.

reaction is automatic

response is considered