Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Intuition vs. Instinct
“So, you’re feeling lost and confused. You hear about gut feeling, intuition, and instinct everywhere but aren’t sure how to use it.” Don’t worry. We’re here to help.
Today, we’ll discuss the difference between instinct and intuition and how you can use both for your decisions.
TL;DR
Intuition and instinct are two ways to make decisions. Intuition is a gut feeling that helps with rational thought, while instinct is an automatic reaction to past experiences. Use both to make the best choices in life, but be careful not to overthink.
Table of contents
- What is Intuition?
- What is Instinct?
- So, what is the meaning of intuition or being intuitive?
- How do they work?
- Quickly Pointing Out The Difference Between Instinct vs Intuition.
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- There is a thin line between intuition and overthinking.
- How to make the best choices for your life with Intuition and Instinct?
- Related articles
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Intuition and instinct are two fascinating facets of human cognition that often get intertwined in our daily lives.
When we talk about intuition, we’re delving into the realm of our innate understanding and gut feelings.
We often see that a mother’s intuition is unparalleled, and there’s truth to that statement.
A mother’s intuition is the finest intuitive thinking, honed through years of nurturing and caregiving.
It’s the uncanny ability to discern their child’s needs or emotional state without concrete evidence. Relying instead on subtle cues and a deep connection.
What is Intuition?
Intuition, in psychology, is defined as the ability to grasp insights or make decisions without the need for conscious reasoning. It’s the thoughts that emerge from the depths of our subconscious, guiding us in ways we can’t always explain.
Our intuition is constantly working to assist us in problem-solving and decision-making. By tapping into it, we can make choices more efficiently, accurately, and effectively.
What is Instinct?
Instinct is our natural tendency to act in a way that is habitual and automatic. Instincts are habits we’ve picked up over time. Like smiling or licking our lips, they just happen, without us thinking.
These actions can help us make fast decisions, especially in tense moments.
Imagine you’re in a crowded place and someone suddenly screams. You instantly look around to understand what’s going on. That’s instinct kicking in.
Instincts are tied to reflexes. Intuition, on the other hand, feels more like a quiet gut feeling. But both work together.
They’re built into us to help us survive, stay safe, and make sense of a fast-moving world.
So, what is the meaning of intuition or being intuitive?
It’s about listening to that quiet voice inside you. Letting your gut guide your thoughts and choices.
Intuition isn’t magic. It’s a skill. And like any skill, you can get better at it.
With practice, you can use it in all parts of life. From making career moves to understanding people better.
Knowing what intuition means in psychology is just step one. The real growth comes when you trust it.
When you tune in and follow it, you connect more with yourself and with the world. That’s when things start to shift in ways you didn’t expect.
How do they work?
Intuition is when you just know something without needing to think it through. It’s like a gut feeling that guides you.
You use it all the time in relationships, work, or big life choices.
Instinct is different. It kicks in automatically. Like licking your lips when you’re nervous or pulling your hand back from something hot.
Both happen fast, but they’re not the same.
Intuition helps you make smart decisions without overthinking. Instinct, while useful, isn’t always right. It can lead you into risky situations if you’re not aware.
Quickly Pointing Out The Difference Between Instinct vs Intuition.
Instinct is our natural tendency to react quickly in a particular situation.
Intuition is a higher-level ability to make valid decisions as per our intellectual understanding of a situation.
Instinct is faster and less accurate than intuition. It can also misdirect us at times.
One can develop intuition with practice and experience.
Also, instinctive actions are the best ones to take, even if they are not always the smartest ones.
When making decisions, consider both instinct and intuition.
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There is a thin line between intuition and overthinking.
You must know the thin line when to trust your gut instinct. But don’t push it too much, you will end up overthinking.
Although intuition can be a helpful guide in making decisions, overthinking leads us to make mistakes.
When we overthink, we prevent ourselves from taking action and reaching our goals. We also end up wasting time and energy. Check this article on overthinking.
So, trust your gut instinct (intuition) and not try to second-guess it. The ambiguity factor will always be there. It is the courage that helps you take the next step without overthinking.
Give a pause here and digest the above statement.
How to make the best choices for your life with Intuition and Instinct?
There are two ways we often make decisions using intuition or instinct. Each one helps in different situations.
For example, when dealing with money, we rely on a mix of logic and gut feeling. Like deciding whether to invest in a stock.
In relationships or at work, instinct can guide us too. If someone feels unsafe, your instinct tell you to stay away. Same with food. If it smells good and you’re hungry, your instinct says, “eat.”
That’s because instincts evolved over millions of years to help us survive.
Both intuition and instinct have pros and cons. Intuition gives you more options and room to think. Instinct helps you act fast and often keeps you safe.
In the end, both are useful. You just need to know when to trust which one.
Related articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Neither is “better”. They’re just different. Intuition helps with thoughtful decisions. Instinct kicks in fast, often in survival situations. Use them based on the moment.
Intuition feels calm, clear, and steady, like a quiet inner nudge. It’s not fear or panic. It often makes sense only in hindsight.
Intuition is a deeper knowing without logic. Instinct is a hardwired reaction, like flinching or hunger. One guides, the other protects.
Yes. Like a muscle, it grows with use. Pay attention to your gut feelings and reflect on your past choices to sharpen it.
They can be. Instincts evolved for survival, not modern life. Sometimes they trigger false alarms like reacting with fear when there’s no real threat.
Conclusion
Instinct and intuition are two sides of the same coin. While instinct is a more basic gut feeling that we all have, intuition is a little more sophisticated. It requires us to think critically before acting.
You explored the instinct and intuition difference.
We can train instinct and intuition over time to help in making decisions. But ultimately, it boils down to your decision and how you process information. Check out these related articles on human behavior.
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