‘Anthropomorphism’ is a popular term in the literature on human-technology engagements, in general, and child-technology engagements, in particular. Our results suggest that individual differences in children’s anthropomorphic tendencies might be learned through parent-child discourse. Instead, parents’ anthropomorphic tendencies were significantly correlated with those of their children. Children’s anthropomorphic tendencies did not depend on the type of object. Children’s anthropomorphic tendency was not influenced by the motivation for social connection. We found individual differences in children’s anthropomorphic tendencies toward their special objects and a novel stuffed animal. Parents’ anthropomorphic tendencies were measured by a questionnaire and direct observation. To manipulate children’s motivation for social connection, we experimentally primed children for loneliness. Fifty-five children, aged 4–6 years, participated. It explores factors related to the individual differences, focusing on the effect of motivation for social connection, type of special object (personified objects or not), and parents’ anthropomorphic tendencies.

This study describes individual differences in children’s anthropomorphic tendencies toward their special objects. Results are discussed in terms of the differing degrees of imagination involved in anthropomorphism of animals versus technology and inanimate nature. Finally, children who frequently engaged with an invisible ICs more readily anthropomorphized in general and technology and inanimate nature in particular relative to all other children. Second, anthropomorphism of animals was highest amongst children with invisible ICs, followed by those with toy ICs and those who impersonated. Results indicated that the imaginative act of impersonating an animal, person, and/or machine was positively related to anthropomorphism, and specifically anthropomorphism of inanimate nature and technology. Ninety children (5, 7, and 9 years) were administered Individual Differences in Anthropomorphism Questionnaire - Child Form (IDAQ-CF), comprised of the technology-inanimate nature and animal subscales, and the Role Play Scale, which assessed (a) impersonation of animals, people, and/or machines and (b) imaginary companions (ICs), including invisible friends and personified toys. The current study investigated the relation between children's role play and anthropomorphism. We propose that the imaginative process of simulating and projecting internal states is common to both role play and anthropomorphism. Similarly, anthropomorphism - the attribution of internal states to non-human others (e.g., animals, inanimate nature, or technologies) - also involves imagining others' minds and internal states. Children's role playing, whether personifying toys or imagining invisible friends, involves imagining others' minds and internal states.

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