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Cognitive
& Behaviorist Studies -
Instinctive Behaviors
What are Instinctive
Behaviors?
What are Instinctive
Behaviors and do humans ever act out of instinct rather than their
own
will? Instincts are defined as non-learned, inherited (genetic)
patterns of behavior
generally ensuring the survival of a species. Common examples include
spinning a web by a spider, nest building and other maternal
activities,
migration patterns of animals, social behavior in pack animals.
insects, animal courtship behaviors including monogamous mating, etc.
Some behavioral scientists suggest that animals act out of
instinct and humans out of will. However, the transfer of instincts
from one generation to another is not well understood although it is
assumed that somehow genes are involved.
Instinctive behavior is
observed more frequently in primitive life forms while more complex
manuals like humans depend mostly on learned (i.e. cerebral) behavior
than instincts. However, human babies at birth instinctively exhibit:
- A sucking
response for obtaining food,
- A grasping response
with hands exploring surroundings,
- Crying to express
pain, distress, and hunger,
- Noises and facial
expressions conveying pleasure/happiness.
Ethnologists, like Konrad
Lorenz who studies animal behavior, believe that every
species have routine movements. that appear to be automatic. in some
way
relates to their structural systems. Dr. Lorenz's name for these
patterns
is "Fixed Action
Patterns" where particular characteristics are associated with the
body's
inherent physical structure and the adaptive functions of appendages.
Instinctive behavior goes
beyond simple responses to an external stimulus. There is evidence that
instinctive activity involves sequences of behavior that run a
predictable course. The premise is that instinctive behavior is
hereditarily based, but is also
shaped by the forces of natural selection. Selection assumes that
most of the
outcomes of instinctive activity contribute to the preservation of an
individual or to the continuity of the species; however, selection also
involves the
tendency to adapt to positive or negative changes in the environment
that has implications for the individual's
survival and ability to continue a line of prodigies.
Instinct is
frequently defined behavior that can range from or simple response to
the subjects environment to high level of actions involving complex
reflexes. Studies
of White Sharks has proven that certain instinctive behaviors may
be modified through learning, but most tend toward a narrow,
predictable response.
Recommended Reading:
- Innate
Behavior Once
the body is prepared
for certain types of instinctive behavior, an external stimulus may be needed to act
as a stimulus.
- Re:
Do humans have instincts or just reflexs?
Sept. 13,
2001 Behavioral
scientists, however, mean something
very different by instinct. Because of this confusion, many modern textbooks are using a different
term, "fixed action pattern" to refer to behaviors that used to be called
instincts. Reflexes and fixed action
patterns do indeed refer to different types of behaviors.
- The
Importance of Yoga for Sports Persons Feb. 5, 2011 Yoga is a
holistic system - teaching skills which many sports persons seek, such
as control over the mind, control over the body, good breathing, etc.
- Autonomic Nervous
System - NDRF The
autonomic nervous system conveys sensory impulses from the blood
vessels , the heart and all of the organs in the chest, abdomen and
pelvis, etc.
- Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder All kids have
worries and doubts. But some have obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD)
in which their worries compel them to behave in certain ways.
References:
- Instinctive
Behavior Oct. 21, 2002 What are instinctive
behaviors
and do humans ever act out of instinct rather than their own will?
- Basic
Instinct Not So Basic After All May 26,
2006 The idea that only great apes and humans have a forward planning
does fit the facts. Is there a distinction between forward planning and
instinctive behavior?
- PDF Can
Human Instincts Be Controlled? Like all
animals, humans have instincts,
genetically hard-wired behaviors that enhance our ability to cope with
vital environmental contingencies.
- Innate
Behavior Interaction
of Internal and External Stimuli; Releasers of Instinctive Behavior ...
Nonetheless, it turns out that in some animals, at least, foraging
behavior can be
Resources:
The following internet
links have been
gleaned from personal communications
combined
with
information from
public institutions and athletic
organizations/
associations
that
have a web presence with information concerning team
and
individual
sports
programs:
All
materials are copy protected.
The limited use of the
materials for education purposes is allowed providing
credit is given
for the source of the materials.
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