This chapter explores the phenomenon of anthropomorphizing in adult life, where adults attribute human qualities to non-human entities. It discusses the differences in how adults anthropomorphize compared to thinking about human minds. The chapter highlights examples of anthropomorphizing in various contexts and its impact on human perception and interaction.
What happens in our brain when we make assumptions about people who don’t seem to be like us – when they may look, speak, or behave differently. And can brain science help us to override our potential prejudices? I explore some research on this topic, which specifically looks at how we perceive other people, animals, and things outside ourselves - such as technology.