Instinct vs. Innate — What's the Difference?

Instinct is the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular complex behaviour, containing both innate (inborn) and learned elements. The simplest example of an instinctive behavior is a fixed action pattern (FAP), in which a very short to medium length sequence of actions, without variation, are carried out in response to a corresponding clearly defined stimulus.

Existing naturally or by heredity rather than being learned through experience

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

Of or produced by the mind rather than learned through experience

A powerful motivation or impulse.

Possessed as an essential characteristic; inherent

An innate capability or aptitude

Inborn; existing or having existed since birth.

Deeply filled or imbued

(philosophy) Originating in, or derived from, the constitution of the intellect, as opposed to acquired from experience.

(Obsolete) Impelled from within.

Instinctive; coming from instinct.

A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.

(botany) Joined by the base to the very tip of a filament.

An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.

(obsolete) To cause to exist; to call into being.

(archaic) Imbued, charged (with something).

Inborn; native; natural; as, innate vigor; innate eloquence.

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

Originating in, or derived from, the constitution of the intellect, as opposed to acquired from experience; as, innate ideas. See A priori, Intuitive.

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.

Joined by the base to the very tip of a filament; as, an innate anther.

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

To cause to exit; to call into being.

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

Not established by conditioning or learning;

To impress, as an animating power, or instinct.

Being talented through inherited qualities;

Inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli;

Present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development

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