The reason why we choose to have pets can be very varied. Some find the little animal on the street and rescue it, while others look for someone to take care of the house or company. Although how they come to a family may be different in each case, it is safe to say that without a doubt, our pets will form such a strong bond that they can become a child.
For this reason, it is customary to find people who talk to their animals as they did with others who live in the same house. They tell them things, explain them, and even ask their opinion. Although it is a rather cute habit, some believe that it is an indication of madness.
However, a recent study set out to find out more about this attitude and found that, far from showing signs of dementia, those who talk to their pets possess genuinely exceptional ability.
This is anthropomorphism, a tendency to associate the real or imagined behavior of non-human beings with human-like characteristics.
According to experts, some tend to anthropomorphize the things we love or with which we have a strong bond. Psychology confirms that the more we like something or someone, or if we spend a lot of time with him, the more likely it is to generate closeness and liking. This happens not only with humans but also with animals.
This is usually more common and accepted in childhood since children tend to name and talk to their toys. This is mainly related to the fact that these actions are surrounded by a game environment, where the child shows his desire for a company or to build an identity.
After puberty, those who continue to talk to their stuffed animals or name appliances are considered immature. However, this is not necessarily true.
There is no difference between talking to inanimate objects and talking to our pets. Nicholas Epley, one of the scientists behind studies related to anthropomorphism, analyzed a survey carried out by the radio program “Car Talk”, where it was observed that a large number of people spoke to their cars and reported that said objects they seemed to have a mind, beliefs, desires, and even their personalities.
“Recognizing the mind of another human being involves the same psychological processes as recognizing a mind in other animals, a god, or even a contraption. It’s a reflection of our increased brain capacity rather than a sign of our stupidity,” Epley explained.
Thus, anthropomorphism is associated with superior intelligence, which, in turn, is directly related to social intelligence, that is, the ability to relate to others with empathy, honesty, and correctness.