Analyze Your Impulses

I find it strange how often we give people the advice to "go with your gut" or to "do what feels right." I mean, when taking a multiple choice test, it does seem that our initial impulses have a strong tendency toward being correct, but why is it such common advice?

From what I can tell, humans often have really horrible impulses. These include wanting to punch, choke, kick, spit on, or otherwise attack or assault other people. There are other impulses like eating tons of junk food, sticking our fingers in fire, and playing on live rain tracks. 

It seems that some impulses are quite insightful and beneficial, but others are downright suicidal. There is value to be had in analyzing characters' impulses. Humans are rather impulsive creatures by nature, so understanding why they have the impulses they so allow a much deeper understanding of who they are, how they feel, and what they think.