[ExI] oddity - learn to walk? nah

[William Flynn Wallace]

Walking is the only behavior that meets most of the specific criteria for
an instinct (fixed action pattern) (only the sign stimulus could be said to
be lacking):

1 - unlearned
2 - species specific (like baby ducks following Lorenz)
3 - highly stereotyped (this requirement keeps many so-called behaviors
from being instincts - most human behaviors vary widely)
4 - found in all species members
5 - released by a sign stimulus
6 -complex - not just a reflex

When the sinews and muscles are ready, the kid will walk- hard-wired.  A
beginning toddler does the best he can with muscles and sinews not fully
ready for walking.  I knew a person who did not walk at the usual time, but
he crawled with a great deal of ability.  When, as his mother related,
another kid hit him and he could not catch him, he got up and ran.  No
practice at walking or running.

Blind children walk at the same time as sighted children.  Kids who ride
their mothers' backs all day long walk at the same time as kids who play in
the dirt all day.

Learn to walk?  Nah     bill w
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