What is instinct ?
Instinct means a way of behaving, or a feeling that is not learned instead it is a natural desire or tendency that makes someone want to act in a particular or certain way. Instinctive behavior is a type of innate Behaviour which is an adaptive response to a particular stimulus received from environment. It can be carried out by the nervous system due to genetics as it can be inherited from parents . This type of behaviour can not be considered as a reflex action , but surely it is a complex and species-specific pattern of activity. Instinctive behaviour is also referred to as a stereotyped response as it is fixed and unchanged in nature.
Theories related to Instinct behaviour : –
Depending on evolutionary point of view and from other aspects , there are mainly three theories related to Instinct behaviour .
They are :
- Evolutionary Theory : According to Darwinism sometimes nature selects the best for survival hence this theory states that due to natural selection organisms developed instinct behaviour for their survival.
- Genetic Theory : According to this theory along with the characters the instincts are also coded by DNA and it is inherited.
- Neurobiological Theory : Some scientists say that instincts are produced by some specific regions of brain which involves neurotransmitters .
Types of instincts :
There are several types of instincts depending on the situation and stimulus received and also the behaviour of the organism .Instincts are classified as follows : –
- Reproduction Instincts : These are instincts seen during reproductive phase which includes mating and parenting
- Survival Instincts : These are the Instincts which helps in survival.
Examples : Feeding and Self defence
- Social Instincts : These instincts helps organisms to survive in their environment or community. It helps in communication between the other members of the group also helps in cooperation.
- Territorial Instincts : These instincts helps to set a boundary or to define one’s territory . It also helps in establishing a boundary for the purpose of protection.
Role of instinct behaviour :
Instinct behaviour is crucial for the following reasons :
- Survival :- It helps in survival of a species and also for the growth of that species.
- Adaptation : – Sometimes it helps in adaptation and to resist the harsh environmental conditions.
- Development : It plays a very important role in the developmental process.
- Evolutionary Success : It enables a species to bring evolutionary changes in them thus helping evolutionary succession.
Stimulus Filtering
Filtering means removing unwanted substances by passing through an object , likewise Stimulus filtering is the process through which the nervous system act in a certain manner resulting in the selectively processes of sensory information and prioritising it which allow an organism to focus on relevant stimuli while ignoring the other irrelevant stimulus.
Stimulus filtering occurs when an organism ‘s nervous system is unable to respond or fails to respond to stimuli that might otherwise cause a reaction to occur. Over the years the nervous system has developed the ability to perceive and distinguish between minute differences in stimuli, which allows the animal to only react to significant ones.
Types of Stimulus Filtering :
- Peripheral Filtering : Also known as external filtering which occurs at sensory receptors and controls the input of all the sensory information.
Examples:
-Dilation of pupil which is regulated by the light intensity
– Earwax helps to block loud sounds to prevent ear from damage
– Skin receptors which adapts to temperature changes
- Central Filtering : Also known as internal filtering which occurs at brain processing centres . It interpretes and prioritises the sensory information.
Examples:
– The way Brain ignores familiar background noises while focusing on something
– Focusing the whole attention on finding some specific visual cues
– Differenciating between the irrelevant sensory input while performing tasks
Mechanisms of Stimulus Filtering :
The mechanisms which are involved in stimulus filtering are as follows:
- Sensory Gating which regulates and controls the flow of sensory information in to the nervous system.
- Attentional Modulation which involves the ability of focusing on specific stimuli
- Habituation : It ignores the repetitive stimuli and also saves time
- Sensory Adaptation : It helps in adjusting sensitivity to changing stimuli so that organisms can resist to harsh conditions.
Neural Structures Involves the following regions for stimulus filtering:
- Thalamus : It is the sensory relay center
- Cortex : It is the sensory processing region
- Basal ganglia : It helps in movement and cognition
- Brainstem : It functions in an automatic manner
Factors Influencing Stimulus Filtering :
The following factors are responsible for the stimulus controlling.
- Motivation: It enhances attention to relevant stimuli and helps in performing that task very efficiently.
- Emotion: It Prioritizes stimuli which are emotionally significant.
- Context : It influences the interpretation of sensory information.
- Learning : It Shapes sensory filtering through experiences which are learned from different situations.
- Attentional Control : It involves voluntary and involuntary attentional processes.
Conclusion
One of the most basic aspects providing survival through providing immediate response to any environmental stimulant is the instinctive behavior (the natural behavior that is not learned but is integral to the animal). Migration and hunting are also such natural behaviors that help the organism adapt to the environment. On the other hand, learning is in no way contradictory to the idea of instincts; in fact, on the one hand, it is present in the same environment that adaptation exists, for it remains as another necessity for the adaptability of a certain creature. Understanding the nature of instincts certainly adds a new dimension to the explanations of animal and human behavior and it points out that most actions are based on these inborn drives.
Stimulus filtering helps in efficient processing of sensory information. It enhances the survival, cognition and improves daily functioning.
