Automatic effects of anthropomorphized objects on behavior
Behavior can be automatically affected by the perception of other people, be they significant others or members of social groups (e.g., Bargh, Chen, & Burrows, 1996; Chartrand & Bargh, 1999; Fitzsimons & Bargh, 2003). The current research uses these findings as a basis for investigation of the psychological construct of anthropomorphism. Two studies explore whether subtle exposure to anthropomorphized objects such as domestic animals (e.g., dogs and cats) can activate associated concepts and automatically influence behavior. The findings suggest that even incidental exposure to animals associated with human characteristics influences behavior in an automatic fashion, such that people "match" the personality attributed to the nonhuman entity. This provides initial evidence for the role of anthropomorphism in guiding social behavior.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Social Psychology
- Political Science & Public Administration
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
- 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
- 4408 Political science
- 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
- 1702 Cognitive Sciences
- 1701 Psychology
- 1606 Political Science
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Social Psychology
- Political Science & Public Administration
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
- 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
- 4408 Political science
- 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
- 1702 Cognitive Sciences
- 1701 Psychology
- 1606 Political Science