Human Instincts

Human Instincts

• An inherited tendency of an organism

to behave in a certain way

usually in reaction to its environment

for the purpose of fulfilling a specific need

does not depend upon an individual's learning experiences

develops in the same way for all individuals of the same species or of the same sex of a species.

• For example, birds will build the form of nest typical of their species although they may never have seen such a nest being built before. Some butterfly species undertake long migrations to wintering grounds that they have never seen. Behavior in animals often reflects the influence of a combination of instinct and learning. The basic song pattern of many bird species is inherited, but it is often refined by learning from other members of the species. Dogs that naturally seek to gather animals such as sheep or cattle into a group are said to have a herding instinct, but the effective use of this instinct by the dog also requires learning on the dog's part. Instinct, as opposed to reflex, is usually used of inherited behavior patterns that are more complex or sometimes involve a degree of interaction with learning processes.

• The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved. Cite This Source

Deepest desires: To have sex

Men have an overwhelming desire to have sex because men ejaculate 300 million sperm each occurrence. Women have a more measured desire to have sex because they produce one egg each occurrence.

The desire to have sex is supported by the following attractions:

Visual

• Women are attracted by the best genes and the male inverted triangle shape. The shape implies strength and a good immune system.

• Men are attracted by big breasts and the hour glass shape which implies fertility.

Smell

• Smell is an instinctive indicator of genes that are different from one’s own which indicates that the combination of the two will produce a better immune system.

Body Reaction

Testosterone is continually released in the male blood stream.

In both sexes attraction causes the pupils to dilate.

Dopamine, the feel good chemical, is released in the brain.

Pheromones are released.

Adrenaline courses through the abdomen producing the feeling of butterflies in the stomach.

Blood rushed to the lips and the sexual organs.

Resources

• Resources possessed by males imply ability to take care of children.

Infidelity

• Males are fertile all day every day

• Females ovulate in an inconspicuous way and men remain to have intercourse on the day of ovulation.

Females are fertile two days a month. They are most engaged in the four days around ovulation. They are most attracted to sex during the days of ovulation at which time they are attracted to masculine facial features.

• The human male scrotum is larger than the male gorilla’s and smaller than the male chimpanzee’s because of the tendency of female infidelity. They each produce the amount of sperm necessary to carry on their genes to the next generation. Female gorillas are faithful to their male partners. Female chimpanzees are unfaithful to the male partners. Female humans are somewhat faithful to their male partners.

Male Sexual Jealousy

• Male sexual jealousy is present in every culture.

The will to win

• The will to win – why does winning feel so good and losing feels so bad? Initially winning was key to survival. Now it is key to competition, getting a job, etc. Chemicals in the body create feelings that support our competitive status. Dopamine brings about a good feeling. Endorphins block pain. Adrenaline energizes us.

Not to lose face

• Not to lose face – we are hardwired not to lose face. We take risks not to lose face. When our instincts were formed millions of years ago, we lived in small groups. Everyone knew who we were and our reputation need to be protected. Ex. – cans falling in the grocery store around strangers and we jump to defend our reputation – “I did not do it.”

Fear of failure

Yields no reward

Decreased heart rate

Produces cortisone

Blood leaves the gut producing that sinking feeling

Anxiety and fear

Hippocampus remembers the feeling of failure

Immobility

Amygdala fuses the memory

Other instinctive behaviors

• Forming groups to compete with each other

• Natural Born Heroes: instinct to help others

• Generosity with expectation of return

• Instinct for fairness

• Empathy

• To put others first

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljE9PatEur8