Port's Instinct List

Port's Instinct List
(April 9, 2000)

See Introduction to Possible Human Instincts.

Humans probably have an instinct to _____ .

SUSTENANCE

1. eat and drink; seek food and water

2. seek sweet and fatty (nutritious) foods

3. avoid eating smelly or bitter things

4. be cautious about novel foods

5. seek better resources than presently available

6. seek neighborhoods that are green and flowery

SEX

7. be interested in girls or boys (usually of opposite sex)

8. seek sexual contact and excitement; "do the deed" - but in private and

not with your children or parents

9. love children and the cute (female more than male)

10. compete for resources (wealth, fame, etc.)

11. pair up; find longterm partners (female more than male)

12. compete for the best (and, for males, the most) partners (eg, show off, dress up)

13. be aggressive, use force to gain advantage (male more than female)

DEFENSE

14. blink; flinch; flee

15. frown; snarl; attack for advantage (male more than female)

16. keep yourself alive; ensure your genetic survival

17. protect your own family

18. grades of importance: own children > spouse > siblings > clan, etc

19. obtain and defend resources: jobs, land, property,

hunting rights, sex partners, etc. (male more than female)

SOCIALITY

20. bond with your group, hangout with your family

21. try to reduce conflict within your group (female more than male)

22. compete for leadership in groups

23. imitate others: beliefs, knowledge and skills

24. be wary of and dislike `outsiders'

25. teach youngsters (female more than male)

26. smile; laugh; mope; frown; strut; cry

27. celebrate; share gifts (esp food); hug; grieve

28. display emotions: anger, happiness, disgust, sadness, fear, surprise

KNOW/LEARN

29. be curious about stuff, make sense of things

30. learn about your surroundings

31. play with toys (objects, pets, tools, machines, etc)

32. explore new places, find more efficient methods

33. be more adventurous - especially when young

TALK

34. learn new words and more effective speech (especially the young)

35. chitchat; commiserate; boast; scold; make jokes; entertain

36. organize others' behavior; lead your fellows (male more than female)

37. tell and listen to stories

38. make music, make artistic objects

RETURN TO Instincts Introduction Page

Robert Port

2000