Under the concept of "basic human instincts" they imply an innate predisposition in specific situations to perform certain actions or to avoid certain actions. This desire may not be realized in all cases. In some situations, social prohibitions or other factors may interfere. However, in doing so, desire and the emotion that reinforces it can be highlighted and defined.
It should be noted that the traditional description characterizing instincts as a complex of complex congenital reactions in the body, which form, basically, almost unchanged as a response to internal or external irritations, is almost not applicable to people. This is mainly due to the lack in humans of the fixed types of actions that have been described in animals. An exception can be made only for facial expressions, gestures, poses, which, as it turned out, are more inherited.
Modern researchers who deal with innate programs prefer to use the concept of evolutionarily stable strategies in behavior (ESP). This term was first coined by M. Smith.
Such behavior strategies are called evolutionarily stable that, for a species and an individual, against the background of selective pressure and modification, they bring the greatest advantages of an adaptive nature.
Human instincts are divided into three main categories.
The first includes vital congenital predispositions. In this case, they ensure the safety of an individual’s life. These human instincts are endowed with certain characteristic features:
- a decrease in an individual’s chances of survival is caused by dissatisfaction with the corresponding need;
- there is no practical need for another individual to satisfy one or another need.
This category includes the following innate motivations (predispositions):
- The instinct of self-preservation. Every normal individual has an innate motivation to avoid unsafe situations.
- Evolutionary phobias (fears). Many people experience an inborn fear of snakes, darkness, insects, strangers (in particular, when they are larger or in a group). A person may also be afraid of heights, rats, blood, mice, patients, predators, to be bitten or eaten.
- Food disgust or addiction. Genetically, people can feel predisposed to mineralized, salty, high-calorie foods. Some individuals feel the need to try new unfamiliar foods. Many people are predisposed to the use of seeds, snacks, chewing gum.
- Thermoregulation.
- Wakefulness and sleep.
- Brachiation (flight). At the same time, some people are attracted by the view from above, while others in danger try to climb higher, others are involved in activities related to air (parachuting, aviation).
- Excreta.
- Collecting (collecting).
- Biological clocks and rhythms.
10. Saving your energy (rest).
The following categories include social instincts of a person. They are formed only as a result of the interaction of individuals of one species. Among them, the following predispositions should be highlighted:
- Instinct of procreation.
- Parental behavior.
- Domination (submission), pacification and aggression.
- Territorial instincts.
- Group behavior and others.
The third category includes congenital programs of ideal needs. These human instincts are not associated with species or individual adaptation to reality. These programs are facing the future. These congenital predispositions from those described above are not inferred, but exist independently. These include, in particular:
- Instinct of learning.
- Games.
- Imitation.
- Preferences in art.
- Freedom (overcoming obstacles) and others.