Like all animals, humans have instincts, genetically hard-wired behaviors that enhance our ability to cope with vital environmental contingencies. Our innate fear of snakes is an example. Other instincts, including denial, revenge, tribal loyalty, greed and our urge to procreate, now threaten our very existence.

Animals communicate using signals, which can include visual; auditory, or sound-based; chemical, involving pheromones; or tactile, touch-based, cues. Communication behaviors can help animals find mates, establish dominance, defend territory, coordinate group behavior, and care for young.

In general, a learned behavior is one that an organism develops as a result of experience. Learned behaviors contrast with innate behaviors, which are genetically hardwired and can be performed without any prior experience or training. Of course, some behaviors have both learned and innate elements.

Intuition or a gut-feeling is an understanding or knowing of a situation without specific data or evidence at the time; analytic reasoning is not part of the intuitive process. Instinct is an innate, hardwired tendency. For example, humans have biological, hardwired instincts for survival and reproduction.

Emotions work in telling us something in the same way that physical pain does. When we have a strong relationship with ourselves and our feeling states, we can use emotions as instincts. Emotions are usually an internal reaction to something, whether a situation, thought, or another feeling.

Primal instinct is behind our innate ability to react to new potentially dangerous situations in the interest of self-preservation. Although humans still possess most of the instincts of our primal ancestors, other instincts have adapted and evolved, which override the older reactions.

1 : a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity had an instinct for the right word. 2a : a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason. b : behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level.

adj. 1 first or original. 2 chief or most important. (C17: from Medieval Latin primalis, from Latin primus first) primal therapy.

The adjective primal describes something that’s essential or basic, like the primal urge to protect yourself and your family from harm. The Latin root of primal is primus, which means first. If your friend talks about his primal self, he means the most basic, important part of who he is.

A man’s secret obsession is something that a guy desires more than love and money and he is secretly obsessed with. Find out your guy’s secret obsession and you will win him over. Every man has a secret obsession.

20 ways to train your primal instincts

1. Read a book this summer about evolution.
2. Sleep outside one night.
3. Cook a bird, fish or animal whole on a fire you made.
4. Go for a run in the woods without your shoes.
5. Eat no sugar, no grains, nothing from a box or packet for 30 days.
6. Have a day of critical examination.
7. Spend an afternoon at a playground.