Anthropomorphism facts for kids
Anthropomorphism is suggesting that non-human things have human traits, emotions, and intentions. It is common for people to do this.
Anthropomorphism is often used in stories and art. The story of the "Three Little Pigs" has a wolf and pigs who talk and act like humans. Mickey Mouse also talks and acts like a human. These are examples of a type of anthropomorphism called "furry".
The novel The Call of the Wild also uses anthropomorphism. The main character is a dog named Buck. Many other characters are dogs and wolves. In the story, the animals think and act more like humans than real dogs do.
Reasons for anthropomorphism
People can explain why they do things. People are not as good at knowing why non-human things do things. This can lead to people assuming non-human things will act or think like humans.
Knowledge about humans is got early in life. It is more detailed than knowledge about non-human entities, and is better remembered.
Related pages
- Furry: Anthropomorphism where animals and legendary creatures are shown as human-like in stories and art.
Images for kids
-
Anthropomorphic "pebble" figures from the 7th millennium BC
-
From the Panchatantra: Rabbit fools Elephant by showing the reflection of the moon
-
John Tenniel's depiction of this anthropomorphic rabbit was featured in the first chapter of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
-
From The Emperor's Rout (1831)
-
Anthropomorphic pareidolia by Giuseppe Arcimboldo
-
Fatso the Fat-Arsed Wombat, a popular symbol of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics created as a parody of the commercial official mascots.
-
Almada tram in smiley livery
-
Pareidolia of a face in a rock
-
A Danish electrical socket - with its two 'eyes' and a 'mouth' (all three functional parts of the device), forming a pareidolic face.
See also
In Spanish: Antropomorfismo para niños
