TV series
Professor Robert Winston presents a series investigating the natural instincts inherent in people, covering survival, procreation, the drive to succeed and the heroic impulse.
Availability
Human Instinct premiered October 23, 2002. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Professor Robert Winston presents a series investigating the natural instincts inherent in people, covering survival, procreation, the drive to succeed and the heroic impulse.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
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.
Directed by Nigel Paterson
Episode 2
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.
Directed by Nigel Paterson
Episode 3
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.
Directed by Nigel Paterson
Episode 4
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.
Directed by Nigel Paterson
Episode information updated Jul 25, 2026
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Robert WinstonHimself
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
BBCUnited Kingdom