Humanish: Reflections on the Uniquely Human Need to Humanize
Justin Gregg offers a playful deep dive into the psychology of anthropomorphism.
Posted September 23, 2025 | Reviewed by Kaja Perina
As someone who has studied and written about the cognitive and emotional lives of nonhuman animals (animals) for many decades, I've read various accounts about the good, the bad, and the ugly of anthropomorphism . 1
However, there is more to "being anthropomor" than just referring to nonhumans. For this and many other reasons I truly enjoyed Justin Gregg's highly acclaimed new book Humanish: What Talking to Your Cat or Naming Your Car Reveals About the Uniquely Human Need to Humanize . All in all , Humanish is at once a riveting read and a breath of fresh air. Justin opens our senses and our hearts to nature’s whims and to the other beings with whom we share our one and only planet and why Identifying with them is a win-win for all.
Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Humanish ?
Justin Gregg: We are often mocked for treating our pets like furry little humans by talking to them or throwing them birthday parties, or maybe feel weird when we find ourselves apologizing to AI chatbots . These are examples of anthropomorphism; a behavior where we treat a non-human thing like we would a fellow human. It’s a behavior that is generally viewed in a negative light, if not something akin to delusion.
I wrote Humanish to not only explore the psychology of anthropomorphism more deeply, but to try to convince the reader that it’s a beneficial behavior that evolved for good reason. In most cases, when we anthropomorphize animals, objects, concepts, etc. it is either harmless, or beneficial to both us and the things we are anthropomorphizing. It can, of course, go terribly wrong and cause harm to all parties involved, but on balance it’s a force for good in this world, and that’s something I was keen to show in this book.
MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?
JG: I study animal cognition , which means anthropomorphism was a concept I’ve had to think about since the first day I began researching animal minds. There’s a long history of scientists wrestling with the problem of whether it’s a good idea to assume the presence of human-like cognitive capacities in animals as a potential explanation for the causes of their observable behavior. Beginning in the mid twentieth century, it was a bit of a boogeyman for those studying animal behavior ; something to be avoided at all costs. This book allowed me an opportunity to dive into the psychological processes and ethical implications of anthropomorphism, which has really focused my understanding of the concept.
MB: Who is your intended audience?
JG: The book is written for a general audience and intended for anyone who has ever had a pet or a stuffed animal. Or maybe given their car a name. Or maybe read a book with an anthropomorphic character. Or been manipulated by marketers who use anthropomorphism to shill their products. In other words, it’s a book for everyone, written with the goal of making folks realize how deeply their world is affected by their inbuilt anthropomorphic tendencies. Most people don’t realize how often their behavior is manipulated by anthropomorphism, and this book is intended to help us see both the benefits and pitfalls of this rarely talked about cognitive bias .
What are some of your major messages?
JG: Here is a list of some the most important things to know about anthropomorphism that I detail:
MB: How does your book differ from others that are concerned with some of the same general topics?
JG: The concept of anthropomorphism has cropped up in a number of books focusing on the study of animal minds including in much of your writing Marc (which has been highly influential in my career ). And you do see the concept being talked about more and more these days as it pertains to how we interact with AI and/or robots. But this is the first book that focuses all its attention on the concept of anthropomorphism that I am aware of, and that expands it to include not just animals and AI, but all the ways we encounter anthropomorphism (like in films and literature, marketing and politics ). So it’s both a much wider scope and deeper dive into the topic.
MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about the amazing lives of other animals they will treat them with more respect and dignity?
JG: I hope that after reading the book, people feel less stigma when it comes to anthropomorphizing their pets. The book is careful to show how anthropomorphising the animals in your life can be very dangerous for them; making us wrong about what’s really going on in their minds, and thus generating unnecessary suffering. But it also shows that, even if we are wrong about what they are really thinking (or otherwise just pretending), it can often lead to better welfare for the animals we encounter. As long as we are aware how and why we are engaging in anthropomorphism.
I am asking folks to take a step back and think about their anthropomorphic behavior, and evaluate whether it’s caused harm by engaging with the science of animals minds.
It’s a tricky balance to know when anthropomorphism is harming or helping, and my goal with the book was to tease out these nuances so that, in the end, we can interact with the animals in our lives in a way that is beneficial for all parties involved.
In conversation with Justin Gregg , a Senior Research Associate with the Dolphin Communication Project and an Adjunct Professor at St. Francis Xavier University, where he lectures on animal behavior and cognition. He is author of the bestselling book If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal . Originally from Vermont, Gregg studied the echolocation abilities of wild dolphins in Japan and The Bahamas. He currently lives in rural Nova Scotia, where he writes about science and contemplates the inner lives of the crows that live near his home.
- Mindful Anthropomorphism Works, So Let's Stop the Bickering ; Conservation Science Must Value Individuals and Anthropomorphism ; Anthropomorphism Favors Coexistence, Not Deadly Domination ; The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy ― and Why They Matter .
Gregg, Justin. The Anthropomorphic Urge . Psychology Today, October 2025.
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Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.