WHAT IS INSTINCT?

Instinct is the inborn behavior shown by organism in response to a certain stimuli.

For example 1: The tendency of a dog to shake his body when it gets wet.

2:In humans the contraction of pupils in response to bright light.

STATEMENT OF INSTICT
THEORY:
“Every organism is born with different biological traits and
tendencies in order to help them survive. These aren’t learned
or experienced behaviors, rather patterns of behavior that occur
naturally and are goal-directed. These patterns of behavior are
referred to as instincts, and the theory suggests that instincts
drive all behaviors”.

BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM
MCDOUGALL’S:
William McDougall ( 22 June 1871 – 28 November 1938) was an early 20th
century psychologist who spent the first part of his career in the United Kingdom .  He wrote a
number of highly influential textbooks, and was particularly important in the development of the
theory of instinct and of social psychology. McDougall was educated at Owens College, Manchester
and St John's College, Cambridge.[3] He also studied medicine and physiology in London
and Göttingen. 

MCDOUGALL’S THEORY:
William McDougall
William McDougall was one of the firsts to write about instinct theory of motivation.
According to him, instinct must be
 Unlearned
 Uniform in expression
 Universal in species
and composed of

 Perception
 Behavior
 Emotion
Based on the three elements, he outlined 18 different instincts such as maternal
instinct, comfort, sex, hunger, laughter and curiosity.

Observations About Instinct Theory:

The instinct theory suggests that motivation is primarily biologically based.

The behavior must occur naturally and automatically in all organisms of that species. 

E.G: Migrating before winter ensures the survival of the flock, so the behavior has become instinctive.

Criticisms of Instinct Theory:

While instinct theory could be used to explain some behaviors, critics felt that it had some
significant limitations. Among these criticisms:

 Instincts can't explain all behaviors

 Instincts are not something that can be readily observed and scientifically tested
 Just labeling something as an instinct does nothing to explain why some behaviors appear
in certain instances but not in others