What term describes biologically determined and innate patterns of behavior that exist in both people and animals?

What term describes biologically determined and innate patterns of behavior that exist in both people and animals?

• A. Instincts
• B. Drive-Reduction Theory
• C. Primary Drives
• D. Homeostasis

Answer: (A)

Instincts are innate, biologically determined behavior patterns shared by humans and animals. They arise without learning and appear in response to specific cues, guiding predictable sequences of actions that help with survival. This sets them apart from motivations driven by internal states, like hunger or thirst, which drive behavior to reduce an uncomfortable need (drive-reduction theory) or from the broader regulatory process of maintaining internal balance (homeostasis). Primary drives are examples of these internal needs, while homeostasis focuses on keeping internal conditions stable rather than producing fixed action patterns. So, the term that best fits “biologically determined and innate patterns of behavior that exist in both people and animals” is instinct.

Instincts are innate, biologically determined behavior patterns shared by humans and animals. They arise without learning and appear in response to specific cues, guiding predictable sequences of actions that help with survival. This sets them apart from motivations driven by internal states, like hunger or thirst, which drive behavior to reduce an uncomfortable need (drive-reduction theory) or from the broader regulatory process of maintaining internal balance (homeostasis). Primary drives are examples of these internal needs, while homeostasis focuses on keeping internal conditions stable rather than producing fixed action patterns. So, the term that best fits “biologically determined and innate patterns of behavior that exist in both people and animals” is instinct.