II.   Mind (PSY)

An Instinct , also known as a “reflex”, is a sudden reactive behavior or action triggered by strong positive or negative emotional suggestion without the presence of clear cognitive intention.

The word Instinct is derived from the Latin instinctus meaning “incited, inspired”.

An Instinct is similar to impulse in that it is triggered by a strong emotional source either sensed externally or internally and is involuntary. However, unlike impulse, instinct implies a physical reaction.

An Instinct of a higher order species may be genetically inheritable or acquired through life experience:

(i) Inherited Instincts of higher order mammalian species are based around the six (6) primordial emotions being Anxiety, Attack, Escape, Protect, Arouse and Pleasure; and

(ii) Acquired Instincts of higher order mammals are acquired through life experience and variations of the base inherited Instincts.

All higher order mammals, including Homo Sapiens are born with inherited Instincts.

The majority of Instincts developed by an organism are acquired through life experience and repetitive use.

An acquired Ynstinct is first formed as a strong repetitive memory evolving into an impulse. After further use, the impulse usually will evolve into an Instinct.

The absence of repetitive use of an Instinct will see it devolve to an impulse and then to a memory. Over a long absence of use, even a former Instinct can be forgotten.