Adaptive behaviors are those that help us to survive and thrive in our environment. They include things like finding food, avoiding danger, and caring for our young. These behaviors are often learned from our parents and other members of our community, but they can also be instinctual.
Instinctive behaviors are those that are programmed into our genes. They are present from birth and do not need to be learned. For example, all human babies are born with the ability to suckle. This behavior is essential for survival, as it allows us to drink milk from our mothers.
Learned behaviors are those that we acquire through experience. They include things like language, social skills, and job skills. These behaviors can be influenced by our genes, our environment, and our own choices.
The relative importance of adaptive, instinctive, and learned behaviors varies from behavior to behavior. Some behaviors, such as breathing, are almost entirely instinctive. Others, such as driving a car, are almost entirely learned. Most behaviors, however, are a combination of all three.
For example, the behavior of eating is adaptive because it helps us to survive. It is also instinctive, as we are born with the ability to suckle. However, eating is also a learned behavior, as we learn what foods we like and how to prepare them.
The interaction between adaptive, instinctive, and learned behaviors is complex. However, by understanding these different types of behaviors, we can better understand ourselves and our interactions with the world around us.