Anthropomorphisation

/ænθroʊpoʊˌmɔːrfɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The British spelling of anthropomorphization; the process of attributing human characteristics, emotions, or intentions to non-human things, animals, or abstract concepts.

Etymology

From 'anthropomorphic' + '-isation' (British variant of '-ization'). A product of 20th-century psychology and linguistics to describe a universal human cognitive tendency.

Kelly Says

Disney didn't invent anthropomorphism—humans have been doing it for thousands of years, dressing up as animals in rituals and telling stories where animals talk. It's how we make sense of things outside our experience!

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