Instant Genius Why we treat our pets and possessions like human beings
Sep 21, 2025
Dr. Justin Gregg, a researcher and author of 'Human-ish', dives into the intriguing world of anthropomorphism. He explores why we project human traits onto our pets, how this has influenced their breeding, and the emotional benefits of treating objects like companions. Gregg discusses cultural perspectives, the impact of AI on our relationships with technology, and possible risks associated with these human-like attributions. His insights shed light on our quirky connections to both living and non-living things.
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What Is Anthropomorphism
- Anthropomorphism is treating a non-human entity as if it were a fellow human.
- It involves imagining the entity has a human-like mind and interacting accordingly.
Three Triggers That Kickstart It
- Three strong triggers drive anthropomorphism: human-like eyes/face, human-like movement, and language.
- These cues kickstart our tendency to perceive non-humans as fellow humans.
Pets Bred To Be Humanish
- Humans have bred pets to look and behave more childlike, increasing our tendency to anthropomorphize them.
- Features like flatter faces and eyebrow muscles in dogs amplify caregiving responses.
