Watch
  • BBC One

Human Instinct

  • 2002
  • Ended
  • Documentary
  • ~46m / ep
  • 1 season
  • 8.3/10

Professor Robert Winston presents a series investigating the natural instincts inherent in people, covering survival, procreation, the drive to succeed and the heroic impulse.

Latest: Season 1 · 2002

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  1. E1. Born To Survive

    Oct 23, 2002 · 46m

    In this edition, he reveals that our instincts are honed to survive in a world far riskier than the one we inhabit today, and that this is why we often crave food high in calories, reject food that could be poisonous, and react to primeval dangers such as snakes.

  2. E2. Deepest Desires

    Oct 30, 2002 · 46m

    Professor Robert Winston explores the complex world of sexual attraction, investigating why men are more open to casual sex, what drives women to be unfaithful and what can ignite male sexual jealousy.

  3. E3. The Will to Win

    Nov 6, 2002 · 46m

    Professor Robert Winston examines human instincts and patterns of behaviour. He explores the drive to succeed, looking at how different chemicals are released into the brain when we win or lose, and learning about the impact of being a younger sibling on behaviour patterns.

  4. E4. Natural Born Heroes

    Nov 13, 2002 · 46m

    In this last programme, Professor Robert Winston discovers why we do so much for friends and family, and will even risk our lives for complete strangers, often on split-second instinct.