PubHawk
October 2007 PMID 17907867

On seeing human: a three-factor theory of anthropomorphism.

Nicholas Epley, Adam Waytz, John T Cacioppo

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Mentions

96
Peak: 4 in Mar 2023
across 5 sources since Oct 2020

Extended reach

75,969
potential audience

Total likes

682

Video views

7,349

Mentions per month

Oct 2020 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News74 articles
  • X / Twitter13 posts
  • Blogs6 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a strong interest in the psychological mechanisms of anthropomorphism, as evidenced by references to empirical works and specific theory components. The tone varies from casual mentions to academic suggestions, indicating a balanced engagement with the publication’s ideas and their potential implications in AI and social behavior.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the relevance of Epley et al.'s theory, with some explicitly recommending or referencing the research, indicating general agreement on its importance.

InterestHigh interest

The posts show high curiosity about the subject, especially with references to related concepts like AI and agency attribution, and recommendations for further reading.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some posts delve into specific aspects of the theory, mentioning related studies and empirical work, demonstrating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

There's recognition of the work's significance in fields like AI and social psychology, but concrete claims of impact remain limited, reflecting moderate perceived influence.

Abstract in brief

  • The article explains anthropomorphism as the tendency to attribute human-like qualities, motivations, or emotions to nonhuman agents, which is common but varies depending on certain psychological factors.
  • The three key determinants influencing when people anthropomorphize are the accessibility of human-related knowledge, the motivation to understand and influence agents (effectance motivation), and the desire for social connection (sociality motivation).
  • The theory helps understand why anthropomorphism is variable across individuals and contexts, predicts how factors like knowledge, motivation, and social needs affect it, and discusses applications in robotics, human-computer interaction, and the related process of dehumanization.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Efeito borboleta
@borbo_effect · X

Algumas leituras que recomendo sobre - https://t.co/IcFATQHJyV https://t.co/A12daea1sW https://t.co/niZzNaimGi https://t.co/OjSSgiuPVd

Apr 22, 2023 · 36 likes · 3,696 followers View post →
TechXplore
@TechXplore_com · X

AI isn't close to becoming sentient—the real danger lies in how easily we're prone to anthropomorphize it @ConversationEDU https://t.co/FhkyREBhc3 https://t.co/brvBv4UzG6

Mar 15, 2023 · 7 likes · 7 shares · 21,453 followers View post →
Sander Koole
@SLKoole · X

@criticalneuro Nick Epley has a whole line of research on anthropomorphization. This would be a place to start: https://t.co/BHfUL3IprJ

Jun 22, 2022 · 2 likes · 2,231 followers View post →
Walid Yassin
@Wal_yas · X

On seeing human. https://t.co/CjVwe2OqNa https://t.co/Q5cX6S6DFu

Feb 26, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,458 followers View post →
Mina Cikara
@profcikara · X

@criticalneuro GAH. I'd just google scholar "On seeing human: a three-factor theory of anthropomorphism." there's a pdf version linked!

Jun 22, 2022 · 1 like · 13,663 followers View post →
Dr. Larisa, Assistant (to the) Regional Professor
@samclab · X

@jeffguhin Adam Waytz' work on anthropomorphism might be helpful. Here's one review paper out of many review & empirical papers: https://t.co/iG5kqkuQdr. I can also suggest some papers about agency attributions to God, just wasn't sure if God was too close to a human/animal.

Jul 18, 2022 · 1 like · 1,754 followers View post →

All mentions

sanfriedrich.bsky.social
@sanfriedrich.bsky.social · Bluesky

Issu de Epley, N., Waytz, A., et Cacioppo, J. T. (2007). On seeing human: a three-factor theory of anthropomorphism. Psychological Review, 114(4), 864–886

Nov 21, 2024 View post →
Shane McGrath
@bloodbatmcgrath · X

Today I look at "On Seeing Human: A Three-Factor Theory of Anthropomorphism". A psychology paper from 2007. https://t.co/eATUOQvDBo

Oct 8, 2023 · 113 followers View post →
Klinger Neves
@Kli_Nev · X

RT @borbo_effect: Algumas leituras que recomendo sobre - https://t.co/IcFATQHJyV https://t.co/A12daea1sW https://t.co/niZzNaimGi https://t…

Apr 22, 2023 · 3,881 followers View post →
Efeito borboleta
@borbo_effect · X

Algumas leituras que recomendo sobre - https://t.co/IcFATQHJyV https://t.co/A12daea1sW https://t.co/niZzNaimGi https://t.co/OjSSgiuPVd

Apr 22, 2023 · 36 likes · 3,696 followers View post →
Nova!
@Nova_O9 · X

RT @TechXplore_com: AI isn't close to becoming sentient—the real danger lies in how easily we're prone to anthropomorphize it @Conversation…

Mar 15, 2023 · 7 shares · 149 followers View post →
ACostinel
@a_costinel · X

RT @TechXplore_com: AI isn't close to becoming sentient—the real danger lies in how easily we're prone to anthropomorphize it @Conversation…

Mar 15, 2023 · 7 shares · 224 followers View post →
Phys.org Technology
@physorg_tech · X

RT @TechXplore_com: AI isn't close to becoming sentient—the real danger lies in how easily we're prone to anthropomorphize it @Conversation…

Mar 15, 2023 · 7 shares · 12,948 followers View post →
TechXplore
@TechXplore_com · X

AI isn't close to becoming sentient—the real danger lies in how easily we're prone to anthropomorphize it @ConversationEDU https://t.co/FhkyREBhc3 https://t.co/brvBv4UzG6

Mar 15, 2023 · 7 likes · 7 shares · 21,453 followers View post →
Dr. Larisa, Assistant (to the) Regional Professor
@samclab · X

@jeffguhin Adam Waytz' work on anthropomorphism might be helpful. Here's one review paper out of many review & empirical papers: https://t.co/iG5kqkuQdr. I can also suggest some papers about agency attributions to God, just wasn't sure if God was too close to a human/animal.

Jul 18, 2022 · 1 like · 1,754 followers View post →
Mina Cikara
@profcikara · X

@criticalneuro GAH. I'd just google scholar "On seeing human: a three-factor theory of anthropomorphism." there's a pdf version linked!

Jun 22, 2022 · 1 like · 13,663 followers View post →
Sander Koole
@SLKoole · X

@criticalneuro Nick Epley has a whole line of research on anthropomorphization. This would be a place to start: https://t.co/BHfUL3IprJ

Jun 22, 2022 · 2 likes · 2,231 followers View post →
Walid Yassin
@Wal_yas · X

On seeing human. https://t.co/CjVwe2OqNa https://t.co/Q5cX6S6DFu

Feb 26, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,458 followers View post →
Puspita Insan Kamil
@PuspitaKamil · X

@YaQueeens 5. On seeing human: A Three-factor theory of anthropomorphism (Epley, et al, 2007) 6. When we need a human: Motivational determinants of anthropomorphism (Epley, et al, 2008)

Feb 20, 2022 · 2,574 followers View post →
Phil Frana
@ArtificialOther · X

On Seeing Human: A Three-Factor Theory of Anthropomorphism https://t.co/PUUZaRfFzs

Oct 12, 2020 · 4,421 followers View post →