otherness

A University of Chicago study presents an interesting theory about anthropomorphism, the attribution of human-like characteristics and traits onto nonhuman agents. They found that certain things increase the effect and other things decrease it. For instance:

• Loneliness greatly increases the tendency to anthropomorphize.
• Fear seems to have no effect either way.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the object decreases the tendency.

But, perhaps more importantly, their theory may finally shed some light on the opposite effect of dehumanization, the removal of human-like characteristics from other humans thereafter treating them as objects. While loneliness has a strong positive effect on anthropomorphism, the opposite may also be true... intense social bonds in tight-knit groups may have a strong negative effect on the tendency, leading to increased dehumanization.

"Those who live in particularly highly connected communities may be the least in need of social connection from outside group members and possibly the most likely to fail to attribute humanlike characteristics to more distant outgroup members"

This idea is very important for minorities to consider. Think about the groups most likely to terrorize gay people. Aren't all of them associated with these tight social groups? Sports, military, religious fundies who even go so far as to home school? Could it be that the "Family Values" fundies might be the most anti-gay because a shared human instinct compels them to be so? Consider the rapid appearance of nationalism during an emergency, and the apparently ill-thought tendency to demonize the perceived enemy. As social cohesion increases, anthropomorphism decreases. It seems that our minds are always working to establish "connection" with the rest of the world. If our need is not immediately fulfilled (loneliness), then we cast our thoughts far and wide to find sameness. If instead we are immediately reassured and comforted, then we do not try nearly so hard.

Does it mean that we have to give up the nuclear family in order to gain friendship with animals and nature? Does communion with everything require so high a price? Maybe so:

"Anthropomorphism is of practical interest in most social spheres because it turns nonhuman agents into moral agents who deserve to be treated with respect and concern. Pollution takes on a different tone altogether when it is “harming Mother Earth,” for instance, and it is no surprise that such framing is common among environmentalist groups who show the strongest concern for the environment."

So the Christians may be right about something (while simultaneously defying the truth of it):

Luke 8:20-21 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. "My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Self-isolation comes with a nice benefits package.  As a pagan myself, though, I find this information confusing and somewhat contradictory. It should be possible to have the best of both worlds: close family/clan and anthropomorphic nature. Perhaps there's still a more complicated truth to untangle from the observations in this recent study.

(Aside: The authors also remarked that "individuals with autism also do not appear to use their own beliefs egocentrically as a guide to others’ beliefs". (Helpful Translation: Other people confuse the hell out of autistics.))