What term describes distinctive patterns of social behavior among city residents?

Urbanism is the term used to describe the distinctive patterns of social behavior, culture, and lifestyle that emerge specifically in urban environments. The concept was popularized by sociologist Louis Wirth, who studied how urban areas facilitate unique social interactions and relationships that differ significantly from those found in rural settings.

In an urban context, residents often experience a higher degree of social diversity, anonymity, and a variety of social interactions that are shaped by the dense and heterogeneous population of cities. Urbanism encompasses various aspects, such as public life, social networks, community dynamics, and the impact of urbanization on lifestyles and social norms. This term encapsulates how urban living creates a unique social fabric, influencing everything from individual behaviors to broader societal trends.

The other options, while they may touch upon aspects of urban life, do not specifically define the patterns of social behavior characteristic of city residents as well as urbanism does. Civic culture refers more broadly to the attitudes and practices concerning citizenship and public life, which are not limited to urban settings. Metropolitan lifestyle is a broader concept that might encompass urban living but lacks the specific sociological focus of urbanism. City behavior is a more general term that does not convey the depth of social patterns found within urban studies.