Intuition vs. Instinct: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on September 26, 2023

Intuition is a quick, unconscious process allowing one to understand or know something without the need for conscious reasoning, while Instinct is an innate, fixed pattern of behavior in response to stimuli, mainly driven by survival and reproduction.

Key Differences

Intuition and Instinct are both intrinsic and essential aspects of human and animal behavior. Intuition is often characterized as a 'gut feeling' or an 'inner voice' that guides decision-making without the intervention of conscious thought or logical reasoning. It is a subconscious process that may be influenced by past experiences, knowledge, and environmental cues. Instinct, on the other hand, is a natural, unlearned behavior pattern. It is driven primarily by genetic predisposition and is common to all individuals of a species.

Sep 26, 2023

Intuition can be seen as a form of internal guidance that can help in making decisions in ambiguous situations. It may lack a rational basis and is not always correct, but it can be refined through experience and reflection. Instinct is typically inflexible and automatic. It emerges without prior learning and is geared towards the survival of an individual or species, such as the instinct to flee from danger or to find food.

Sep 26, 2023

While Intuition seems to be more related to the brain and consciousness, acting as a mental shortcut to solve problems or make judgments quickly, Instinct is more related to inherent traits and biological structures, such as hormones and neural circuits, that propel an individual to act in a certain way without conscious thought. Instinct is thus more primitive and fundamental, often shared with other animals, while intuition is seen as a higher cognitive function.

Sep 26, 2023

Intuition can be influenced and developed through learning, reflection, and practice. It can be seen as a form of acquired knowledge, susceptible to individual differences. On the contrary, Instinct is generally stable and unchanging, predetermined by the genetic makeup of an individual, and is consistent across individuals of the same species.

Sep 26, 2023

Each serves a unique purpose: Intuition aids in navigating complex social and environmental contexts where logical analysis may fall short. In contrast, Instinct ensures the execution of essential life-preserving actions and reactions that have been naturally selected through evolution to promote survival and reproduction.

Sep 26, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Definition

Quick, unconscious understanding or knowing

Innate, fixed pattern of behavior

Sep 26, 2023

Driven by

Subconscious processes, past experiences

Genetic predisposition, survival needs

Sep 26, 2023

Flexibility

Can be refined and developed

Generally inflexible and automatic

Sep 26, 2023

Relation to species

Higher cognitive function, more developed in humans

Common to all individuals of a species, shared with other animals

Sep 26, 2023

Purpose

Solves problems, make judgments in complex situations

Promotes survival and reproductio

Sep 26, 2023

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Intuition and Instinct Definitions

Intuition

Intuition is a perception or feeling had without deliberate thought.

Based on my intuition, I would avoid investing in that stock.

Sep 21, 2023

Instinct

Instinct is an inherent behavior that responds automatically to stimuli.

The bird’s instinct led it to migrate before winter.

Sep 21, 2023

Intuition

Intuition can be considered as a gut feeling or inner voice.

Her intuition was saying that something was wrong, and it turned out to be correct.

Sep 21, 2023

Instinct

It is a fixed and inborn reaction or ability.

The cat’s hunting instinct was evident when it saw a mouse.

Sep 21, 2023

Intuition

Intuition is an immediate understanding or knowing without conscious reasoning.

His intuition told him that the deal was too good to be true.

Sep 21, 2023

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Instinct

Instinct is typically inflexible and automatic.

The instinct to protect her young was strong in the mother bear.

Sep 21, 2023

Intuition

It is a quick insight that arises subconsciously.

She had an intuition about the success of the new product.

Sep 21, 2023

Instinct

It is an unlearned, natural pattern of behavior.

It is an animal's instinct to be alert to potential dangers.

Sep 21, 2023

Intuition

It is an unconscious form of knowledge that transcends rational explanation.

Intuition led the detective to suspect foul play, despite the lack of evidence.

Sep 21, 2023

Instinct

Instinct is driven by innate biological factors, ensuring survival.

The instinct to find shelter is common among many species.

Sep 21, 2023

Intuition

The faculty of knowing or understanding something without reasoning or proof.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

An inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species and is often a response to specific environmental stimuli

The spawning instinct in salmon.

Altruistic instincts in social animals.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

An impression or insight gained by the use of this faculty

"I had this intuition you would come here just after the rain broke" (Carson McCullers).

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

A powerful motivation or impulse.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

Immediate cognition without the use of conscious rational processes.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

An innate capability or aptitude

An instinct for tact and diplomacy.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

A perceptive insight gained by the use of this faculty.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

Deeply filled or imbued

Words instinct with love.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

A looking after; a regard to.

What, no reflection on a reward! He might have an intuition at it, as the encouragement, though not the cause, of his pains.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

(Obsolete) Impelled from within.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

Direct apprehension or cognition; immediate knowledge, as in perception or consciousness; - distinguished from "mediate" knowledge, as in reasoning; as, the mind knows by intuition that black is not white, that a circle is not a square, that three are more than two, etc.; quick or ready insight or apprehension.

Sagacity and a nameless something more, - let us call it intuition.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.

Many animals fear fire by instinct.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

Any object or truth discerned by intuition.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.

An instinct for order; to be modest by instinct

Debbie's instinct was to distrust John.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

Any quick insight, recognized immediately without a reasoning process; a belief arrived at unconsciously; - often it is based on extensive experience of a subject.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

(archaic) Imbued, charged (with something).

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

The ability to have insight into a matter without conscious thought; as, his chemical intuition allowed him to predict compound conformations without any conscious calculation; a mother's intuition often tells her what is best for her child.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

Urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved or impelled; imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life.

The chariot of paternal deity . . . Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyedBy four cherubic shapes.

A noble performance, instinct with sound principle.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

Instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

Natural inward impulse; unconscious, involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to any mode of action, whether bodily, or mental, without a distinct apprehension of the end or object to be accomplished.

An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and independent of instructions.

An instinct is a blind tendency to some mode of action, independent of any consideration, on the part of the agent, of the end to which the action leads.

An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge.

By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrustEnsuing dangers.

Sep 17, 2023

Intuition

An impression that something might be the case;

He had an intuition that something had gone wrong

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without thought of improvement in the method.

The resemblance between what originally was a habit, and an instinct becomes so close as not to be distinguished.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

To impress, as an animating power, or instinct.

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

Inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli;

The spawning instinct in salmon

Altruistic instincts in social animals

Sep 17, 2023

Instinct

(followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated;

Imbued with the spirit of the Reformation

Words instinct with love

It is replete with misery

Sep 17, 2023

FAQs

Is intuition always correct?

No, intuition can be incorrect as it bypasses logical reasoning and is based on subconscious processes and experiences.

Sep 26, 2023

Can intuition be developed or enhanced?

Yes, intuition can be refined and developed through learning, reflection, and practice.

Sep 26, 2023

Is instinct unique to animals?

No, humans also have instincts, such as the fight-or-flight response, which are essential for survival.

Sep 26, 2023

Can instinct be overridden?

Yes, humans can often override instincts through conscious thought, reasoning, or learned behavior.

Sep 26, 2023

Can intuition be explained logically?

Often, intuition cannot be immediately logically explained, but it might be rationalized in hindsight.

Sep 26, 2023

Is intuition the same as a hunch?

Yes, a hunch is a synonym for intuition, representing a feeling or guess based on subconscious information.

Sep 26, 2023

Are instincts learned behaviors?

No, instincts are innate, unlearned behaviors that are genetically predisposed.

Sep 26, 2023

Can instincts be observed in newborns?

Yes, many instincts, such as sucking and grasping, can be observed in human newborns.

Sep 26, 2023

Are instincts always related to survival?

Most instincts are related to survival, reproduction, or other basic life-preserving needs.

Sep 26, 2023

Is intuition based on past experiences?

Yes, intuition often draws upon past experiences, knowledge, and subconscious information.

Sep 26, 2023

Is intuition a form of intelligence?

Intuition is considered by some as a form of intelligence, reflecting an ability to solve problems and make judgments subconsciously.

Sep 26, 2023

Can everyone experience intuition?

Yes, everyone can experience intuition, but its accuracy and frequency may vary from person to person.

Sep 26, 2023

Are instincts voluntary reactions?

No, instincts are involuntary and automatic reactions to specific stimuli.

Sep 26, 2023

Does intuition occur quickly?

Yes, intuition is typically a fast, automatic process that occurs without deliberate thought.

Sep 26, 2023

Can instincts be modified?

While instincts are generally fixed, some learned behaviors can modify the expression of instinctual behaviors.

Sep 26, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by

Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.