Ace the AP Psychology Test 2026 – Unlock Your Mind’s Potential!

The correct answer, which is instinct, refers to a behavior that is innate, meaning it is present from birth and does not require learning or experience. Instincts are typically observed across a species and are generally uniform in expression among its members. For example, many animals display instinctive behaviors such as mating rituals, nesting, and migration without having to be taught, highlighting the unlearned and rigidly patterned nature of these behaviors.

This concept contrasts with habits, which are learned behaviors developed through repeated practice; skills, which require learning and development over time; and motivation, which refers to the internal drives and desires that influence behavior but does not specify a particular behavioral pattern. Instincts are fundamental to understanding behavior in psychology and biology, as they reveal how certain actions are encoded within an organism’s genetic make-up and play essential roles in survival and reproduction.