Appersonification

/əˌpɜrsoːnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

A psychological phenomenon where someone attributes human qualities or a personality to something that isn't human, especially as a coping mechanism.

Etymology

From ap- (toward) + personification (giving human qualities). The ap- prefix intensifies the action—it's personification taken to an extreme or applied inward.

Kelly Says

Children naturally appersonify their stuffed animals and imaginary friends, but it's also how we've evolved to understand the world—our brains are so wired to recognize faces and personalities that we see them everywhere, from the moon to our cars.

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