Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Instincts are innate, fixed patterns of behavior in response to certain stimuli. They're automatic responses that don't require conscious thought.
Related terms
Fixed Action Pattern (FAP): A sequence of unlearned acts directly linked to a simple stimulus. Like how geese will roll an egg back into their nest if it falls out - no one taught them this; they just do it instinctively.
A type of learning where young animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life. Think about how ducklings follow their mother around - that's imprinting.