{"id":18121,"date":"2022-08-10T02:04:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T18:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/?p=18121"},"modified":"2025-11-24T11:21:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T11:21:50","slug":"instinct-definition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/instinct-definition\/","title":{"rendered":"The Instinct Definition: What It Is & the Science Behind It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cFollow your instinct,\u201d<\/em> they say. But “they” never explained what it means, let alone how to follow it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here\u2019s the instinct definition, as per Merriam-Webster:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

You may have a pretty good idea of what instincts are based on your life experiences (e.g., survival, sexual, or parental instincts). However, there\u2019s more to it than meets the eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s your instinct that led you here. Why? Chances are, it\u2019s so you can better understand the limitless power of your inner guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Instinct Definition: What Is It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A natural, reflexive impulse \u2014 that\u2019s the instinct definition in a nutshell. It\u2019s when you react to something in your immediate environment without involving reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also known as fixed action patterns, it\u2019s a spidey sense<\/a> of sorts and helps increase the chances of survival. And not only are humans hardwired with instincts, but every species (and superheroes, apparently) is, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In psychology terms, the instinct definition is relatively the same, albeit more technical. The American Psychological Association describes it as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. An innate, species-specific biological force that impels an organism to do something, particularly to perform a certain act or respond in a certain manner to specific stimuli.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. In classical psychoanalytic theory, a basic biological drive (e.g., hunger, thirst, sex, aggression) that must be fulfilled in order to maintain physical and psychological equilibrium.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. In popular usage, any inherent or unlearned predisposition (behavioral or otherwise) or motivational force.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        But that\u2019s just scratching the surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What is the basis of instinct?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Instinct has quite the history, long debated by psychologists on how to classify it. One example of the debate on the classification of instinct, according to a paper<\/a> by clinical psychologist Dr. Diane M. Rogers, is \u201ca simple dichotomy between instinct and reason, with animals endowed with instinct for survival but only humans with the ability to rely on reason<\/em>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        She goes on to explain that, for a while, Darwin\u2019s theory that instincts could be adjusted and a common trait for humans and animals became accepted. However, the concept fell out of favor when all behaviors were then attributed to learning or conditioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Now, instinct is recognized as a behavior that is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n