by Max Power on May 30th, 2006

Max Power

Question

Help answer this question below.

Do humans have instincts, or are all our actions a result of our environment?

  • Like
  • Report

Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

  • by Hellaphunt's Skynet on May 30th, 2006

    Hellaphunt's Skynet

    Both. Every animal has instinct. Being taught is supplement to instinct. I believe we all definetly have an instinct for survival and procreation. Here what wiki has to say:

    Instinct is the inherent disposition of a living organism toward a particular behavior. Instincts are generally inherited patterns of responses or reactions to certain kinds of stimuli. In humans they are most easily observed in behaviors such as emotions, sexual drive, and other bodily functions, as these are largely biologically determined. Instinct provides a response to external stimuli, which moves an organism to action, unless overridden by intelligence, which is creative and hence far more versatile. Since instincts take generations to adapt, an intermediate position, or basis for action, is served by memory, which provides individually stored successful reactions built upon experience. The particular actions performed may be influenced by learning, environment and natural principles. Generally, the term instinct is not used to describe an existing condition or established state.

    Examples can more frequently be observed in the behavior of animals (most in the less intelligent species), which perform various activities (sometimes complex) that are not based upon prior experience, such as reproduction, and feeding among insects. Other examples include animal fighting, animal courtship behavior, internal escape functions, and building of nests.

    It is debatable whether or not living beings are bound absolutely by instinct. Though instinct is what seems to come naturally or perhaps with heredity, general conditioning and environment surrounding a living being play a major role. Predominately, instinct is pre-intellectual, while intuition is trans-intellectual.

    Wiki:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instinct

    Basic human needs precipitate each of our instincts and Maslow had something interesting to say concerning needs:http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/maslow.htm

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by cloudman on February 19th, 2010

    cloudman

    Yes - humans have instincts.

    This reminds me of the three skunks who were lost in the woods.

    The first skunk said, "My instinct tells me to go north.
    The second skunk said, "My instinct tells me to go south.
    The third skunk said, "My end stinks but it sure doesn't tell me where to go!"

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by 1 Nerac on October 16th, 2009

    1 Nerac

    Humans have culture (learned). Only animals have instincts. Instinct- a behavior pattern with three essential features: it is unlearned, it is complex, and it appears in ALL normal memebers of the species under identical conditions. If you can say "NO" it is not an instinct. Animals have instincts because they do not possess compassion or morality.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by zenjen on September 20th, 2010

    zenjen

    Yes, humans ARE animals and as such have instincts. The difference between us and other animals is that we have the intelligence and awareness to control rather than be controlled by our instincts.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by WABOO on March 8th, 2010

    WABOO

    Instincts are natural reactions that are beneficial to man or any other animals. The earliest ancestors of man relied on instincts to survive; they are inherent in the genes like procreation is an instinct to propagate the species. Nothing about morality here in the discussion of instincts, the absence of which does not rule out instincts.

    Instincts are basic responses; flight or fight type of survival; these are gut feelings and reactions to preserve life, as a natural defense in a harsh environment. They are kind of automatic responses (gift from the creator, you might say), the absence of which cause the extinction of a species including man.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by jibbyjabber on February 20th, 2010

    jibbyjabber

    What is an instinct?

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Gingerminx on February 20th, 2010

    Gingerminx

    Yes humans like all animals have instincts. The main one being the instinct to survive.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Jamie "Relentless" Booker on March 8th, 2010

    Jamie

    we all have instincts :) especially men lol as women love to point out :D

    Fear, the impulses to hurt, run, attack and shout. these are examples of animal instinct that we all have.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Do humans have instincts, or are all our actions a result of our environment?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Do humans have instincts
Do human beings have instincts
Instincts in humans
What instincts do all humans share
Does all human being possess survival instinct