How learning and instinct can work together to motivate and direct behavior?

Answer 1

Learning can be seen as evolved from our predecessors (the Neanderthals) and can be seen as 'Instinctive' due to the fact that if we couldn't adapt to new challenges and environments we would perish as a species. This 'instinct' to learn can drive us to try and study new subjects, areas and other informational pursuits of interest due to our innate 'curiosity' we all share. But this can 'motivate' us and directly affect behavior and even the way we think, psychologically we ask ourselves a question and that is (how will this benefit me?) which allows us to be selective on what we absorb using an 'alturistic' perspective (which can be seen as "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" aka Action for reward). As an animal (primitive that may sound) we have a better chance of attracting our desires through learning, a simple example being I'm working through University to earn a degree which increases my chance of getting a well paid job which in the end means more money and possibly as a consequence an increase in sexual success/ getting a Women and possibly having children. We have come a long way from our predessors but yet follow the same paths they did in continuing the species. Using this 'innate' ability to adapt (and quickly at that) this can be used in many different forms using the 'alturistic method' including for example, "If your son or daughter gets a good set of reports or grades, you reward them thus reinforcing their 'success' and thus 'adapting' based on the 'Reward curcuit idea' that you keep doing what is correct. If this sort of positive reinforcement could be introduced in a Educational system for High School students or even University/College students, this could be the best way to 'utilise' this evolved trait to reinforce success and therefore 'motivate' them to succeed.

Answer 2

Learning can complement instincts by helping individuals adapt to changing environments based on past experiences. Instincts provide a foundation of basic behaviors, while learning allows for flexibility and optimization of actions through trial and error. Together, they can motivate behavior by combining innate responses with acquired knowledge to navigate challenges and make decisions.