diff --git a/rest_framework/settings.py b/rest_framework/settings.py
index 9eb4c5653..3d32ed40c 100644
--- a/rest_framework/settings.py
+++ b/rest_framework/settings.py
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ DEFAULTS = {
     # Generic view behavior
     'DEFAULT_PAGINATION_CLASS': None,
     'DEFAULT_FILTER_BACKENDS': [],
+    
+    # Model view behavior
+    'STRICT_PARTIAL_UPDATE': False,
 
     # Schema
     'DEFAULT_SCHEMA_CLASS': 'rest_framework.schemas.openapi.AutoSchema',