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Psychology / Unit 9   Psych 0983 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Instinct Theory

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The idea

Instinct theory holds that behavior is driven by innate, species-typical patterns that require no learning.

In practice

Infants root and suck without instruction, and birds of a species build the same nest structure.

Where people slip

Naming an instinct explains nothing by itself. The theory faded because the list grew without gaining predictions.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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