What is an instinct?
Q: What is an instinct?
A: An instinct is a part of the behavior of an organism that is inherited (innate) and not learned.
Q: Are sense organs and the autonomic nervous system part of instincts?
A: No, sense organs and the autonomic nervous system are not part of instincts.
Q: What are releasers?
A: Releasers are triggers which set off chains of instinctive behavior in animals with nervous systems.
Q: Can instincts be improved through experience and practice?
A: Although instincts are not learned, in some cases their performance can be improved by experience and practice.
Q: What are some problems with the term 'instinct'?
A: The term 'instinct' can be used loosely to mean a general tendency, and it can also be used to describe chains of behavior of mixed origin.
Q: What is the proper use of the term 'instinct'?
A: Properly, the term 'instinct' is used only of well-defined acts whose causation is inherited and which are triggered by specific stimuli called releasers.
Q: What other terms are used for instinct?
A: Other terms for instinct are fixed action patterns (FAP) and innate behaviour chains.
