Human Instinct: How our primeval impulses shape our modern lives

by Robert Winston

From the ambition to be successful in our careers to what we will have for lunch each day, instinct is the invisible motivating force that shapes our world. But how well do these instincts, our most basic modes of interacting with the world, equip us for modern life? We are driven to pursue material wealth and status. We have an innate impulse to find a mate, to fight to protect our young, and to find food and shelter. In Human Instinct, which accompanies a BBC1 television series, Robert Winston takes us to the forefront of modern science, exploring our instincts and gaining a deeper insight into the wonderful complexity of human nature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Psychology, Evolution, Anthropology, Sociology, History

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

The Right Honourable Professor The Lord Robert Maurice Lipson Winston

Reviews

[Toby Primo · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very accessible and broad account of the evolution of 'human nature', but he completely ruins it by saying at the end something stupid like, '.. but we can never fully understand the universe, there will always be some mystery which we must attribute to divine cause..' ... He is Lord Professor Robert Winston of Imperial College London, how can he spend an entire chapter splurging out such crap... guess what.. he's Jewish and prays to God. Nuff said. I have lost all respect for him as a scientist.

[Neal Grout · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to evolutionary psychology without much of the academic gargon which usually comes with the subject. At least it was until the last chapter when the author let rip with his religious beliefs. Yes its true that science cannot explain everything and in some cases never will. That does not mean we can just make stuff up, or use 2000 year old myths, to fill in the gaps. 90% great, 10% complete rubbish

[Tantunicemilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

siz benim öyle dinsiz takıldığıma bakmayın din iyi bir şeydir aslında diyerek kitabı bitirdi:)

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engagingly written book on how some of our human behaviour is explained through how we have evolved. It doesn't pretend to know all the answers, but looks at our historical roots as well as abnormal and less desirable behaviour, and how they could provide an advantage. The last chapter seemed to fit less well with the rest of the book though.

[Shee Tsim Nam · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a matter of 5 years I finished this book. It takes time to digest. As the author said superficially it is science, but it is not so sure in a deeper sense. The description of the link of genes to human and animal behaviour is really fantastic. But is not so 'enjoyable' as after all there are lots of knowledge that one needs to grasp hold of before reading further. So each time I can go through only a few pages, and sometimes putting it down for weeks or months. The attempt to incorporate religion and god in the last chapter obviously has something to do with the view of Richard Dawkins which he nicely positioned himself as a scientist and one who sense a link to god as a Jew.

[Anna Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I read on evolutionary psychology and remains one of my favourites. Winston is concise, intelligent and likeable throughout the book. I found reading this book completely refreshing after only reading scientific journal articles on evolution and human behaviour during my time at University. I would recommend to anyone with an interest in psychology or the biological elements that influence our behaviour.

[Nil Azim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Məlumatlar mənə görə çox köhnə qaldı. Sanki oxuduqlarımı təkrarladım kimi. Amma dili heç də rahat gəlmədi. Cümləni anlamaq üçün dəfələrlə oxumaq lazım gəlir. Düşünürəm tərcümə qarışıqdır.

[Rodeweeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I read a book with evolution as its main subject, I am again surprised at how little Creationists, who fight against the idea of evolution, know about it. As with many other subjects of which people only have little information (and which they fear as a result) evolution is not as simple as "monkey became human". Another thing that I love about books such as this one is how much I learn about myself and those around me - my anxiety, my desire for sex, my obsession with some things and absolute disregard of others, my choices, and the reaction I cause in others. By the middle of the book two questions arises in my mind - 1. is evolution still a theory or is it scientific fact, and 2. what is left of free will? The way in which Winston talks about evolution might make you think that perhaps it now is fact, and the number of things that are determined by our instinct seems to cut out free will. But in the last chapter Winston acknowledges that, just like religious people should not think that they have all the answers, so scientists should also not "believe" that they found the final answer. As for free will Winston encourages us to still grow, especially in our spirituality, as we (as the highest evolved of all species) have the ability to understand - and in understanding to choose our own path.

[Vedat Guven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genlerimizin bizi nasıl yönettiğini, toplumu şekillendirdiğini anlatıyor. Bizler genlerimize sahip değiliz; genlerimiz bize sahip aslında. Ve vücudumuzu bir kılıf olarak kullanıyor genler. 5 milyon yıl önce Afrika'daki hominid atalarımızın ağaçtan yere inerek ve iki ayağının üzerinde yaşayarak başlayan evrim serüveni, homo erectus ve sonrasında homo sapiens'e kadar günümüze geldi. Öğrenme, duygular ve mantıktaki olağanüstü sıçramaya paralel olarak yeni içgüdüler geliştirmeye devam ettik.

[Si Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic examination of how our instincts honed on the Savannah have been carried forward in to our modern world, and how they guide and influence our everyday lives. Expertly yet accessibly written, this book strikes a nice balance between hard science and anecdote.
The application of game theory to evolutionary tactics was a particular highlight, but a wonderful read throughout.

[Kyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

An adequate and broad popular science introduction to evolutionary psychology by a well-known UK professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician - Lord Winston - which unfortunately descends into mushy religious apologetics at the end.

[Logolepsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Son bölüme kadar herkese hitap edecek bir dilde ilerleyen popüler bilim kitabıyken, sonunu "evrende hala bilemediğimiz ve bilemeyeceğimiz, yüce yaratıcının gizemi şeyler var" gibi insan haklına hakaretle getirmesi akıl alır gibi değil. Boşlukların tanrısına sığınan bir biliminsanı düşünemiyorum.

[Ramil Kazımov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Winston tarafından yazılmış bir kitabı ilk okuyuşum oluyor kendisi)) Ve kitabı sevdim diyebilirim. İnsan içgüsünü güzel anlatmış. Evrimi gerçek değil de teori olarak kabul eden benim gibi inançlı biri için hiç fena olmamış. İnsan ve evrimine ilgi duyan herkese tavsiye ederim.

[Hanne Lorimer Aamodt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too entertaining on behalf of the science and a little too outdated by now.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A lucid description of evolutionary forces which shape our actions millennia later, even if it is often not politically convenient to admit this.

[Jarrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Winston chose a fascinating and provocative topic! This book takes a wide-ranging cross-section of current scientific understanding in this area and compiled into one 400+ page book. Given such a diverse selection of sub-topics there's many glancing mentions of studies without speak of sample-sizes or peer review, so it's very hard to put a lot of faith in the conclusions drawn in the book. Nonetheless, the book is certainly more factual than I expected from a documentary author and certainly contains a lot of food for thought.

[Maurice · Rating 3 out of 5]

While still an interesting read I think I expected more of this book. It takes a decidedly evolutionary biology view of all things human, which, although scientifically correct, is not my point of view. However, his style is great and he has a gift to explain tough things very clearly. I look forward to the next book of him to reads and if you want to know about evolutinary biology, this is a great starter!

[Emma Woodcock]

Gives you an insight into how female and male brains work, how we differ so much from each other, and how these developments take place at such an early stage in our lives. Robert delves into freudian philosophy and looks at our ancestory from the Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, to Homo Sapiens. Easy to digest and fascinating.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Love it! Love it! Although I sit between becoming a Christian and a Science thinker, I'm beginning to think they can go hand it hand. Not because of this book, because it all but calls religion a waste of time.

It's amazing the way we learn from and adapt from the past, for reasons that are somewhat unexplainable!

[Fatih · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a comprehensive basic of Evolutionary Psychology, Winston does a very good job. It could be one of the best books on our understanding of the life except for the last chapter.

The last chapter about religion and belief absurdly ruins the value of the book.

Yet, it is definitely worth reading.

[Ambika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was an interesting read. Learnt a few interesting facts about babies and suchlike. But it wasn't really a page-turner. I think more of a dive in and out kind of book.

[Lala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I understand why everyone is so crazy and emotional. Thanks Mr. Winston!

[Kamil Salamah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably FANTASTIC

[Nabanitac]

excellent --amazing.

[Uyar]

i read turkish translation.

[Hande · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like to know the forces inside your brain, shaping your behaviour, this book is fantastic. It's fun to read and very insightful.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting book on the evolutionary effects on humans. So well written and engaging.

[Tan Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well explained book. If you are into the theories of evolution, but need an in-dept explanation of what modern science has discovered, this is the book.

[Mim English morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read if you have an interest in neuropsychology or evolutionary psychology - easy to digest whilst being very informative.

[Caner Ergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunluk yasamdaki temel icgudulerimizin evrimsel temelleri, okunmasi gereken bir kitap..