Picture this scene: You’re at the park, your dog is running around happily, and you, without a second thought, say, “Who’s the cutest dog in the world? ” or “Who’s my champion?” As you pronounce these words with the tone of voice of someone speaking to a small child, you notice the others looking at you out of the corner of their eyes. Some smile, others raise an eyebrow, and there are those who think, “He’s crazy.”
However, talking to pets isn’t just not a sign of insanity, it could actually be a sign of superior intelligence. Yes, you read that right. Talking to your dog, cat, hamster, or even that plant you insist on calling “Daisy” isn’t something for people with a kink in their brain, according to science.
What is anthropomorphism and why does it make us smarter?
Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago and an expert on thinking and decision-making, clarifies that “historically, anthropomorphization has been treated as a sign of infantilism or stupidity, but it is actually a natural consequence of the tendency that makes humans exceptionally intelligent.”
Anthropomorphism is the tendency to attribute human characteristics to objects, animals, or even abstract concepts. Have you ever been angry at your car because it won’t start? Or thought your computer is acting grumpy because it crashes just when you need it most? Well, that’s anthropomorphism in its purest form.
According to Epley, attributing human qualities to animals, or even objects, is actually a sign of our brain capacity. Recognizing the “minds” of other animals involves the same psychological processes we use to recognize the mind of another person.
In fact, young children don’t recognize the consciousness of others in their interactions. They don’t develop theory of mind until around age 4. That’s why your son or nephew hides a toy behind their back and thinks you magically can’t see it.
Theory of mind refers to our ability to understand that others have thoughts, emotions, intentions, and perspectives that are different from our own. In other words, it allows us to “put ourselves in another person’s shoes” and is very useful for improving interactions, as we can anticipate their needs or better understand the extraverbal signals they send.
Theory of Mind in action
With theory of mind, it’s as if our brain is in “detective mode,” always looking for clues to try to understand what others are thinking or feeling. This ability not only helps us socialize, but sometimes also allows us to solve problems more efficiently.
For example, if your dog is acting strange, your theory of mind might lead you to deduce that he might be stressed or uncomfortable. And if your computer is freezing, you can empathize with him (yes, even if it sounds strange) and think, “Maybe he needs a reset.” If the problem is due to high CPU usage, giving him a break and closing some windows might actually solve the problem.
When we talk to our pets, we not only project human emotions onto them, but we also constantly interpret subtle signals: a twitching tail, an anxious look, or a curious gesture. All of this activates areas of the brain linked to empathy and contextual analysis, strengthening our ability to decode intentions and predict actions, which is essential in everyday decision-making.
In fact, some studies have found a relationship between a more developed theory of mind and higher intelligence. This makes sense since when we try to understand the mental processes of others, we also develop the ability to reflect on how we think; that is, metacognition.
Metacognition allows us to analyze how we approach problems in order to think more efficiently. For example, if a method didn’t work, we can ask ourselves where our thinking process failed. This self-assessment helps us adjust strategies, learn from mistakes, and find more effective solutions.
Therefore, this effort to understand the behavior of others, whether humans or animals, could improve our abstract reasoning and our ability to anticipate complex situations. Theory of mind encourages the use of advanced cognitive strategies, such as mental simulation and hypothesis formulation. By interpreting what a pet might be thinking or feeling, our brains make projections, evaluate alternatives, and anticipate consequences—fundamental skills in complex problem-solving.
In short, anthropomorphism is simply an extension of the theory of mind. Recognizing the consciousness of other beings (whether human or not) is an example of an advanced cognitive ability. It allows us to navigate the world more empathetically and intelligently. Therefore, talking to our pets doesn’t make us childish, but more perceptive, more empathetic, more intelligent, and, why not say it, a little happier too.
Source:
Isaksson, J. et. Al. (2021) What’s the Link Between Theory of Mind and Other Cognitive Abilities – A Co-twin Control Design of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front. Psychol.; 12: 10.3389.
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