protective instincts
Shielding someone innately
Protective instincts are the innate drives to shield others from harm, especially those perceived as vulnerable—children, family members, loved ones.
The phrase usually appears when explaining seemingly irrational or disproportionate responses to perceived threats: His protective instincts kicked in when he saw the stranger approach his daughter.
The term implies behavior that bypasses conscious deliberation.
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- parentingNurturing and guiding children
- hacklesErectile neck feathers
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
fight or flight response · vigilance · loyalty · self-sacrifice · altruism · threat detection · danger sense · mama bear · papa bear · fierce love · territoriality · circle the wagons · attachment · guardian · standing guard · moral duty · empathy · sheepdog
- instinctssurvival instincts, primal urge, fight-or-flight, fight or flight, self-preservation
- self-sacrificehuman shield, selflessness, self-denial, renunciation, forfeit
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- motherhoodmother, mom, mama, mum, mommy
- suspiciondistrust, suspicion, mistrust, suspiciousness, doubt
protective instinctskiller instinct
Merciless competitive determination
cruelty · bloodlust · malice · hostility · ruthlessness
protective instinctssurvival instinct
Inborn drive to live
self-interest · egoism · self-centeredness · cowardice · looking out for number one
protective instinctsabandonment
Act of leaving permanently
neglect · desertion · flight response · avoidance · indifference