antropomorfisme

Anthropomorphism, or antropomorfisme in some languages, is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human beings or objects. It encompasses the perception, depiction, or interpretation of animals, gods, natural phenomena, and inanimate things as if they possessed human characteristics. The term is often used in contrast with personification, which is a literary device that presents non-human things in human form for stylistic effect, whereas anthropomorphism can reflect a broader tendency to interpret the world in human terms.

Historically, anthropomorphism has appeared in many cultures. In myth and religion, deities are frequently depicted with human form and motives. In folklore and fables, animals act with human speech and reasoning. In modern media, anthropomorphism appears in animated films, comics, and branding, where animals or objects assume recognizable human roles or personalities. It also informs design practices, such as user interfaces and robots, where human-like appearance or behavior can facilitate interaction and relatability.

Cognitive science and psychology identify a natural bias toward attributing agency and mind to ambiguous stimuli, a tendency that underpins anthropomorphism. While it aids social understanding and communication, it can also lead to misinterpretations of animal cognition or the behavior of machines. In science and ethics, careful distinction is maintained between useful anthropomorphic framing and oversimplified or misleading conclusions about non-human agents.

See also: personification; animism; cognitive science.