Survive and Thrive: How our Instincts and Goals Drive us Forward

Humans, like all living organisms, are driven by certain biological imperatives that help them survive and thrive in their environment. These imperatives are often referred to as survival instincts, which are innate patterns of behavior that are triggered by specific situations. Survival instincts are essential for fulfilling our basic needs, such as hunger, thirst, sleep, sex, and safety.

 

However, survival instincts alone are not enough to explain the complexity and diversity of human behavior. Humans also can set and pursue goals, which are desired outcomes that require planning, effort, and persistence. Goals can be professional, and they can range from short-term to long-term, from simple to challenging, from concrete to abstract. Goals are important for enhancing our well-being, happiness, and self-fulfilment.

 

How do survival instincts and goals interact and influence each other? How do they help us adapt to our environment and cope with challenges? In this article, we will explore some of the psychological theories and research that address these questions.

 

Instinct Theory of Motivation

One of the earliest and most influential theories of motivation is the instinct theory, which suggests that motivation is a result of our biological makeup. More specifically, we engage in certain behaviors because they aid in our physical survival. Instinct theory assumes that humans, like animals, have a set of fixed and unlearned behaviors that are triggered by situations. These behaviors are called instincts, and they are goal-directed and adaptive.

Some examples of human instincts are:

- The fight-or-flight response, which prepares us to either confront or escape from a threatening situation

- The rooting reflex, which drives infants to seek out a nipple to obtain nourishment

- The mating instinct, which motivates us to find and attract a suitable partner for reproduction

 

According to instinct theory, instincts are the primary source of motivation for human behavior. Instincts are powerful and irresistible, and they override any conscious considerations. Instincts are also universal and consistent across cultures and individuals.

 

However, instinct theory has also faced many criticisms, such as being hard to prove with research, being too vague and broad to explain the diversity of human behavior, and ignoring the role of learning, experience, and cognition in motivation.

 

Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation

Another prominent theory of motivation is the goal-setting theory, which proposes that motivation is a result of setting and pursuing specific, challenging, and attainable goals. Goal-setting theory assumes that humans are rational and conscious beings who can plan, monitor, and evaluate their actions. Goals are important for directing our attention, effort, and persistence toward a desired outcome.

Some examples of human goals are:

- Getting a good grade on an exam

- Gaining muscle

- Saving money for a retirement

- Learning a new language

- Making a positive impact on the world

 

According to goal-setting theory, goals are the primary source of motivation for human behavior. Goals are motivating when they are specific, meaning they have a clear and measurable target; challenging, meaning they require effort and skill; and attainable, meaning they are realistic and feasible. Goals are also more motivating when they are self-concordant, meaning they are aligned with our values and interests; and when they are accompanied by feedback, meaning we receive information on our progress and performance.

 

However, goal-setting theory has also faced some limitations, such as being too focused on the cognitive aspects of motivation, ignoring the emotional and social factors that influence goal pursuit, and overlooking the potential negative effects of goal-setting, such as stress, anxiety, and disappointment.

 

The Interaction of Survival Instincts and Goals

Survival instincts and goals are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary and interdependent sources of motivation. They both serve important functions for our well-being and adaptation, and they both influence each other in various ways.

 

On one hand, survival instincts can facilitate goal pursuit by providing us with the energy, arousal, and drive to overcome obstacles and challenges. For example, the fight-or-flight response can help us perform better under pressure, the mating instinct can motivate us to improve our appearance and social skills, and the hunger instinct can encourage us to seek out nutritious and satisfying food.

 

On the other hand, goals can moderate survival instincts by providing us with the direction, regulation, and meaning to balance and optimize our instinctive behaviors. For example, goals can help us control our impulses and emotions, like lust, by reminding us of the consequences and rewards of our actions. Goals can also help us transcend our immediate needs and desires, like sleep, by inspiring us to pursue higher and more abstract aspirations, such as altruism.

 

Survival instincts and goals are two fundamental and interrelated aspects of human motivation. They both stem from our biological nature, but they also reflect our psychological and social nature. They both help us survive and thrive in our environment, but they also shape and enrich our experience of life. By understanding how survival instincts and goals interact and influence each other, we can better manage our motivation and behavior, and ultimately achieve a more fulfilling and balanced existence.