Differences Between Instinct & Intuition

Instinct vs Intuition

While intuition and instinct may seem like similar concepts to many people, they are not the same thing and have different meanings. Intuition refers to our ability to know something without reasoning, whereas instinct is an inborn tendency. Instinct is our natural reaction and occurs without thinking, while intuition is more of an ability. In this article, we will explore the differences between intuition and instinct.

What is Intuition?

Intuition is the ability to understand or know something without conscious reasoning. It is akin to having an insight about a situation. For example, have you ever felt that something was not right or that something bad was about to happen without any concrete facts? This is due to our intuition. We may not have actual facts or rationale for our feelings, but we feel as if they are correct.

When using our intuition, we do not analyze the situation or weigh the pros and cons; we just know. For instance, when making a decision, people often approach it from different angles, trying to figure out the best course of action and considering the advantages and disadvantages. However, with intuition, one does not have enough information to rationalize their decision or thought; it is as if the individual can see beyond what is presented.

What is Instinct?

Instinct refers to an inborn tendency; it is a natural ability. Instinct is not something that we learn but is a natural response. For example, imagine seeing a vehicle speeding towards you; you would naturally jump out of the way. In such a situation, you barely have time to think, but you respond automatically due to your instinct.

Unlike intuition, which is a thought, instinct is more of a behavior or action. For instance, if a ball is coming in your direction, you instinctively attempt to either catch it or move away so that it will not hit you. You do not have time to think about whether you should move away or catch the ball; you act within seconds. In psychology, we speak of two concepts: flight and fight mode. Flight is when the individual moves away from the situation, while fight is when the individual faces the situation, such as catching the ball in this case. This occurs in a very short period.

As you can see, intuition is different from instinct. It is a thought and not an automatic response or action.

What is the difference between Instinct and Intuition?

Definitions of Instinct and Intuition:
– Intuition: Intuition is the ability to understand or know something without conscious reasoning.
– Instinct: Instinct refers to an inborn tendency.

Key Takeaways

• Intuition is not a reaction; it is an insight or a thought, while instinct is a natural reaction, not a thought, and involves responding automatically to a situation without even having time to think.
• Intuition involves the individual seeing something beyond what is presented, while instinct does not have this quality.
• In intuition, the individual arrives at a decision without facts, whereas, in instinct, the individual responds automatically to facts or situations.