Carl Jung defined the term “instinct” as:
the ability to fuse one’s identity with that of another person without a fear of losing it.
an irrational function that involves perception of elementary data that are beyond an individual’s awareness.
an unconscious physical impulse toward action.
a feeling of uneasiness with an unknown cause.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
“An unconscious physical impulse toward action.”
Explanation:
Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology, viewed instincts as powerful, unconscious forces that drive human behavior. He described instincts as biological impulses that push individuals toward specific actions, much like hunger drives an individual to eat or fear prompts someone to escape danger. These instincts originate in the collective unconscious, a deep layer of the psyche that contains inherited patterns of behavior, known as archetypes.
Unlike Freud, who saw instincts primarily in terms of biological drives (such as sex and aggression), Jung expanded the concept to include psychological and spiritual dimensions. He believed that instincts operate autonomously, influencing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors without conscious awareness.
For example, the maternal instinct drives a mother to care for her child without needing to be taught, while the instinct for self-preservation compels people to avoid danger. Jung also linked instincts to the individuation process—the journey toward self-awareness and wholeness. Suppressing instincts, he argued, could lead to neurosis or psychological distress, as they demand expression in one form or another.
Jung distinguished instincts from intuition, which he described as an unconscious perception of possibilities beyond rational thought. While intuition helps a person perceive hidden meanings, instincts are raw, biological urges that move individuals toward action.
Overall, Jung’s definition of instinct highlights its unconscious, automatic nature, showing how deeply embedded these drives are in human psychology. Understanding them is essential for personal growth and achieving psychological balance.