You’ve probably come across people who talk to their pets as if they were human and thought they were crazy because it’s just silly, right? WRONG. Science has come forward (okay, an expert in anthropomorphism) to say that talking to pets is a sign of intelligence.
“Historically, anthropomorphizing (the science of attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object) has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity, but it’s actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet,” Dr Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago said. “No other species has this tendency.”
This behavior can also extend further. Do you sometimes think your computer is being stubborn or that your car is having a nervous breakdown? Examples of attributing human qualities to non-humans, reveals our unique intelligence, according to Epley.
“For centuries, our willingness to recognize minds in non-humans has been seen as a kind of stupidity, a childlike tendency toward anthropomorphism and superstition that educated and clear-thinking adults have outgrown,” he said. “I think this view is both mistaken and unfortunate.
“Recognizing the mind of another human being involves the same psychological processes as recognizing a mind in other animals, a god, or even a gadget. It is a reflection of our brain’s greatest ability rather than a sign of our stupidity.”
If you love taking to your pets then carry on talking to them. If anyone hates on you for it just know that it’s a sign of intelligence. 😉
[Source]
