Ösztön

Ösztön is the Hungarian word for instinct or impulse. In English-language contexts it is translated as instinct, and in Hungarian usage it denotes innate predispositions that influence behavior. The term is used across biology, psychology, and philosophy to refer to patterns of action that are relatively automatic and not solely the result of learning or conscious planning.

In biology and ethology, an instinct often refers to a fixed action pattern or a coordinated sequence of behavior that is triggered by a specific cue. Examples include imprinting in birds, nest-building in some insects, or migratory movements in birds. An instinct is typically distinguished from a simple reflex by its relative complexity and its relative independence from prior experience, although it may still be shaped by development and environment.

In humans, instincts are debated as a complete account of behavior. Some behaviors—such as hunger, thirst, reproduction, and fear responses—have strong biological underpinnings, but most human actions are modulated by learning, culture, and cognition. Modern psychology and evolutionary biology emphasize evolved predispositions and modular mental processes rather than a small set of all-encompassing, hard-wired instincts.

Historical and theoretical perspectives on ösztön have varied. Early instinct theories posited inherited drives that organized behavior; later approaches incorporated learning and motivation, distinguishing proximate causes (mechanisms and triggers) from ultimate causes (adaptive significance). Today, the concept persists as a useful, though nuanced, way to describe innate tendencies that interact with experience.

As a term, ösztön is closely linked to ösztönös (instinctive) and is commonly used to discuss natural, pre-programmed aspects of behavior alongside learning and conscious choice.