The Next Big Idea Daily Why You Should Talk to Your Pet
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Nov 4, 2025 Justin Gregg, an animal cognition expert and author of 'Humanish', explores the science of anthropomorphism—our tendency to attribute human traits to pets, objects, and even devices. He explains how this quirk may have evolved to enhance social connections, helping us bond better with our animals. Gregg also discusses its impact on our relationships with pets, suggesting it can be both beneficial and harmful. Finally, he warns about how marketers and politicians exploit anthropomorphism, reminding us of its darker counterpart: dehumanization.
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Humans Are Wired To See Humans
- Anthropomorphism is a cognitive bias that makes us treat non-humans like fellow humans.
- Our brains are wired to spot human-like faces, movement, and language, so the bias is powerful and automatic.
Evolution Made Us Over-Detect Human Minds
- Anthropomorphism likely evolved to help us detect other human minds quickly.
- It trades many false positives for the safety of never missing a potential human ally.
Check Your Assumptions With Pets
- When anthropomorphizing pets, pause and question whether your assumptions about their thoughts or motives might be wrong.
- If your assumptions could harm the animal, adjust your behavior accordingly.
