Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Innate behaviors are those that occur naturally without any need for learning. They are instinctual and present at birth.
Related terms
Reflexes: Automatic responses or actions programmed by our nervous system that we don't consciously control.
Instincts: Fixed patterns of behavior that animals automatically engage in response to certain stimuli without needing prior experience or training.
Fixed Action Pattern (FAP): A sequence of unlearned behavioral acts that is essentially unchangeable and usually carried out until completion once started.