Thread: Evolution
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Old 18th July 2000, 15:17     #181
MadLep
 
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Unclown - What? Humans don't have any natural instincts? What the hell is that about?

Ever seen a newborn baby? The minute they pop out the all scream their heads off. Why is that? They're distressed by this whole birth thing. Why do they scream when they are distressed? Instinct.

What about an adult? If we are distressed we've got a much larger range of actions to follow. Screaming is a long way down the list.

The difference between us and most animals is that our brains are much more complex and are not fully formed when we are born. Most animals are almost fully functional, miniature version of their parents when they are born - hence being able to walk etc pretty soon.

Human babies still have a hell of a lot of developing to, and don't reach any real independent state till about 4 or 5.

Why is it statistically a lot of relationships break up 4 or 5 years after having a kid? That is about the age that only one parent is needed to look after a kid if you are living as a primitive human in the jungle/grasslands. That too is instinctive.

As we develop more advanced behaviour patterns, our learned patterns overwhelm our instincts, and can even negate them, but they are still there.

Someone throws something at your head. You automatically put your hands up to protect your head without thinking about it. Is that learned or instinct?

You hear a loud unexpected noise close by you. You brace yourself and you turn to face it without thinking. Learned or instinct?

Instinct to both.

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