While we often use the term loosely in everyday conversation, psychologists have a more precise definition. An instinct is an innate, biologically determined pattern of behavior that’s present in all members of a species. It’s not learned or acquired through experience but rather hardwired into our genetic makeup.

instinct, an inborn impulse or motivation to action typically performed in response to specific external stimuli. Today instinct is generally described as a stereotyped, apparently unlearned, genetically determined behaviour pattern.

happening naturally, as a result of instinct, rather than being thought about, planned, or developed by training: those who struggle to control their instinctual passions He says his decisions that day were instinctual.

Behaviour patterns regarded as instinctive range from simple reflexes to complex sequences of actions covering extended amounts of time. Occurrence can be spontaneous or selective in response to external stimuli.

Any behaviour is instinctive if it is performed without being based upon prior experience (that is, in the absence of learning), [dubious– discuss ] and is therefore an expression of innate biological factors.