Human Instinct

Robert Wintson explores the characteristics of human instincts. The human species' inquisitive, altruistic, moral, violent, sexual and spiritual nature are all examined. Are these properties nature or nurture? He is usually examing the former and does this by presenting various scientific hypotheisis and theories which usually involve experimental observations of our cousins in the animal kingdom and are based on our genetic similarities we have with them.

Along the way, we are bombarded with interesting and thought provoking facts. Here's just a sample:

1. Chimpanzees' fear of snakes only manifests if they see other chimps' fear of snakes. However if chimps are tricked so that they think other chimps are afraid of flowers, they don't pick this fear. This suggests chimps have some pre-programmed fear specifically of snakes that has to be activated.
2. Double blind experiments show that men can subconciously detect the odour of baby sweat and have a preference for it.
3. Studies on the MHC gene on mice and humans (the Hutterian Brethen were examined) indicate that mice and people choose partners if they have a different immune system.
4. Most bird species pair up in monagonmous relationships for breeding. Most mammals do not. Only about 5% of mammals do. This includes Gibbons.
5. Galton, Darwin's cousin, was founder of the eugenics movement in 1883.
6. There was pyschiatric hypotheisis that suggested some people had a genetic diposition to be violent (Goodwin).
7. The black window female eats the male during mating.
8. Turner's Syndrome afflicts 1 in 2,000 girls. They are missing an X chromosone and can have masculine characteristics.
9. Vampire bats regurgitate some of their own meals for other bats should they need it - but only if the recognise the bats as friends. This is known as delayed altruism.
10. Zeebras and Giraffes team up and help each other from predators. This is known as cross species altruism. Some ants and aphids also exhibit this.
11. There is a study (Dunbar) which suggests a relationship between the size of neo-cortex in a species and its natural group size. The estimated natural group size of humans is to be 125-150.

And that's just a sample! This book goes into detail on all the above and also has quite a large number of other interesting scientific findings.

Winston doesn't really go too much into detail with any philosophy. He does explain Hobbes' 'State of Nature' theory proposed in Levithian very well and he does reference Nietzches' "that which does not kill us makes us stronger" and Voltaire's "if God does not exist, it would be necessary to invent him" - but it's mainly Scientific findings he uses in this book.

Closer to the domain of pyschology - Winston gives an excellant explaination of Maynard Smith's game theory analysis. He also goes through classic pyschology problems such as the prisoners dilema, the ultimatum game and Wason selection task - which suggest we have an innate mechanism to detect cheaters. All well explained and interesting.

The style of writing is quite objective and matter of fact. He doesn't really go too much into his own opinions except when talking about his views on religion. It's mainly a book that is a bombardment of interesting facts and information all of which is quite readable.
There's no overall hypotheisis in this book which the author is trying to argue more just a summary of what Science has produced on matters pertaining to human instincts.

It's an interesting read. It's not complicated. You wouldn't need to be an expert to read this and if you have any sort of inquisitive nature, I'm sure you'll like it. If you are coming more from an academic angle you might some of it too simple.

Deeply disappointing, and very unscientific (0/1 people found this helpful)

I am really surprised that someone who is a genuine scientist would write a book like this. He writes about a lot of theories as if they are fact, when there is very little evidence to support any of the ideas written in this book.

This is a book based on 'evolutionary psychology' a field which is controversial, because there is no way of proving a lot of the things that is suggested. In fact there is as much 'faith' in believing it as there is in religion.

The only reason this has a 2 star and not a 1 is because it is well written and engaging. However this is worrying, because people might read it and believe that it is truth! It is worrying that such a popular figure, who is seen as a man of science and reason, would promote these ideas to the lay public without letting them know that there are no 'facts' in this field of study and it is all just proposals, possibilities and ideas.

Human Instinct (5/5 people found this helpful)

This is another clear and entertaining book from Robert Winston. Sadly it has many anecdotes and information from his other book 'The Human Mind' in addition to much information from Dawkins 'The Selfish Gene' (which I have to say is a better starting point if this kind of thing interests you). Saying that, if you haven't read either of those books, this will both inform and entertain you. It has Winstons usual conversational style of writing and many insightful moments as you progress through the book. Overall not a bad introduction to popular science or human instinct, but nothing original for those who've read more on this topic.

Savannah mammals (1/1 people found this helpful)

This is a fantastic book. The idea that humans adapted to life on the Savannah over a period of millions of years and will therefore be ill-equiped to handle city life is eloquently and simply put. I thorougly enjoyed this book and could not put it down. Together with 'The Naked Ape' I would go so far as to say we have a technical manual for human behaviour. Required reading for any inquisitive homo sapien.

Interesting - but not easy bedtime reading. (2/5 people found this helpful)

The book starts off well and keeps you interested in the origin of the species, however it seems to trail off from 2/3 of the way through.

When reading for pleasure unless you read, for example, a chapter at a time in the above part of the book, it is easy to become confused about the scientific research and the points that the author is trying to put forward. I would recommend this fairly accessible book to anyone interested in this area as I have learnt a lot about where we come from and the repercussions for modern life, however be prepared to work at it a bit!

Robert M.L. Winston

Reader Reviews:

Very readable and wide range of interesting information (0/0 people found this helpful)

Deeply disappointing, and very unscientific (0/1 people found this helpful)

Human Instinct (5/5 people found this helpful)

Savannah mammals (1/1 people found this helpful)

Interesting - but not easy bedtime reading. (2/5 people found this helpful)

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