Overview
Instinct refers to innate, biologically determined patterns of behavior that occur naturally without prior learning or conscious deliberation. In the context of Human Psychology, instinctive behaviors intersect with cultural and environmental factors that shape how these inherent tendencies manifest in daily life. Research published in this journal has examined how instinctive dietary preferences interact with cultural practices, specifically exploring the relationship between innate food choices and the Mediterranean diet pattern. This work investigates how biological predispositions toward certain tastes, textures, and nutritional needs are modified and expressed through culturally transmitted eating behaviors. Understanding instinct in Human Psychology matters because it helps clarify the complex interplay between nature and nurture in shaping behavior. While humans possess certain innate behavioral tendencies, these are rarely expressed in pure form but rather are channeled through cultural learning and social context. This perspective is particularly relevant for understanding health behaviors, where instinctive drives must be reconciled with learned cultural practices to promote well-being. The study of instinct thus provides insight into the biological foundations of behavior while acknowledging the profound influence of culture and environment.
Research published in this journal
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
How this research is being cited
The 1 article above has been cited 12 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
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2025 · Journal of Public Health
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2025 ·
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Riccardo Motti et al. · 2024 · Discover Food
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2024 · Discover Food
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2023 · Journal of Public Health
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Tryfon Adamidis et al. · 2021 ·
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R. Guiné et al. · 2021 ·
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A. Foscolou et al. · 2021 · Nutrients
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Instinct, linking to each citing work.