Instincts

The Cambridge Dictionary gives a definition of instinct as 'a natural ability that helps you decide what to do or how to act without thinking' or 'the ability to behave in a particular way that has not been learned.' Certain instincts have allowed man to survive over the centuries.

Fear is an instinctive response in any situation where a person feels afraid or threatened. This instinct can produce a good result by causing a person to be cautious and take things slowly. Fear can also paralyze a person, hindering him from doing anything in a difficult moment. With time and practice, most fear can be managed.

Anxiety is another instinctive reaction associated with fear. Anxiety can be used in a healthy way to help us find solutions to a problem. On the other hand, a person can have so much anxiety that he can become confused and unable to sort out answers and solutions to his fears.

Frustration is a natural instinct which happens when a person wants to achieve a goal and is having trouble doing that easily. It can cause impulsive actions, irrational behavior or hopelessness, and defeat. On the other hand, a person can view a frustrating experience as a means of learning how to accomplish a goal in a different way.

As fear, anxiety, and frustration take hold of a person, the person may instinctively feel depressed. Everything is going wrong, and no one can help him. Depression can lead to serious failure. The desire to rise above this depression and overcome the natural instinct is what can bring success.

Man has a basic instinct for fellowship with others. Without fellowship, depression can creep in. However, at times, it is good to learn how to be happy alone. Creativity occurs at such times.

Guilt is another basic human instinct. It may occur when a person feels he has let someone else down or someone has been hurt or injured due to some act of his. The decision to push on and make amends can be a positive result of this instinct.

Animals are born with certain instincts. They have a built-in need to do something. They follow these behaviors without any conscious thought. The instinct does not have to be taught. An instinct is inherited, not learned. Baby sea turtles know to head for the ocean as soon as they are born and to start swimming. A joey, or baby kangaroo, knows to jump into his mother's pouch. Honeybees know how to show the direction of food to other birds by doing a dance.

A baby bird automatically opens its mouth, screams, and waits for its mother to drop a worm in. Butterflies know by instinct just where to lay their eggs. Bees know they have to do work to get pollen, make honey and care for the hive. Ants instinctively build anthills.

Some instinctive behavior in animals must wait until physiological maturation occurs, that is, when their bodies are able to do what is natural. Birds fly naturally but cannot do so until their wings have developed for several weeks. Some instincts may also include learned behaviors. Sleep is instinctive, but one can determine how long to sleep or the environment will determine it for him.

All members of an animal species will exhibit the same instinctive behavior. Most of these instincts involve finding food or taking care of their offspring.