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instinct

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instinct

In ethology, behaviour found in all equivalent members of a given species (for example, all the males, or all the females with young) that is presumed to be genetically determined.

Examples include a male robin's tendency to attack other male robins intruding on its territory and the tendency of many female mammals to care for their offspring. Instincts differ from reflexes in that they involve very much more complex actions, and learning often plays an important part in their development.



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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
First, the instinct of imitation is implanted in man from childhood, one difference between him and other animals being that he is the most imitative of living creatures, and through imitation learns his earliest lessons; and no less universal is the pleasure felt in things imitated.
The Poetics of Aristotle by Aristotle View in context
An instinct is merely a habit that is stamped into the stuff of our heredity, that is all.
Before Adam by London, Jack View in context
"My perfected friend," he said, "my parental instinct recognises in you a noble evidence and illustration of the theory of development.
Fantastic-Fables by Bierce, Ambrose View in context
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