The influence of anthropomorphic tendencies on human hoarding behaviours

Abstract

a b s t r a c tHoarding is the excessive acquisition of and failure to discard possessions. Previous research has shown a link between anthropomorphism (the tendency to ascribe human characteristics to non-human objects) and hoarding. Here we assess the psychometric properties of a new Anthropomorphism Questionnaire (AQ) in a nonclinical sample of 264 adults. A further sample of 93 participants was then recruited to assess relationships between hoarding behaviours and cognitions, scores on the AQ, an existing anthropomorphism questionnaire (Individual Differences in Anthropomorphism Questionnaire: IDAQ), and a measure of social anxiety. Regression analyses revealed the AQ but not the IDAQ to be a significant predictor for hoarding behaviours. Women showed stronger childhood anthropomorphising behaviours than men, and younger participants showed stronger anthropomorphising and hoarding cognitions and behaviours. We conclude that the AQ better supports the predicted relationship between anthropomorphism and hoarding than the IDAQ. We also suggest that age and sex need to be more carefully considered in future studies on anthropomorphism and hoarding.

The role of attachment style and anthropomorphism in predicting hoarding behaviours in a non-clinical sample

“…Both subscales have demonstrated high internal consistency (childhood items, α=.91; general items, α=.86) (Neave et al, 2015). In our sample α=.93 for the total score.…”

“…Timpano and Shaw (2013) revealed that anthropomorphic tendencies were significantly associated with greater hoarding symptoms, with anthropomorphic tendency scores most strongly associated with emotional attachment, as a measure of hoarding cognitions. Neave, Jackson, Saxton & Hönekopp (2015) also demonstrated that anthropomorphising was a significant predictor of hoarding behaviours in a non-clinical sample.…”

“…Hoarding severity has been associated with emotional attachments and feelings of responsibility to inanimate objects (Frost & Gross, 1993;Frost et al, 1995;Grisham et al, 2009;Nedelisky & Steele, 2009) and the tendency for hoarders to anthropomorphise their possessions (Frost & Hartl, 1996;Neave et al, 2015;Timpano & Shaw, 2013). It has been speculated that attachment theory could provide a useful means of exploring such connections, as individuals who are insecurely attached to significant adult others, may develop anxiety in human relationships and seek security in inanimate objects (Nedelisky & Steele, 2009).…”

“…The aim of this current study was thus to investigate the roles of attachment styles, attachment to objects, and anthropomorphism in predicting hoarding tendencies in a non-clinical population. As research has revealed sex differences in hoarding behaviours (Grisham et al, 2009;Hartl, Frost, Allen, Deckersbach, Steketee, Duffany et al, 2004), anthropomorphism (Neave et al, 2015) and in attachment styles (Del Giudice, 2011), the sample comprised males and females.…”

O efeito da antropomorfização no comportamento pró-ambiental: o papel moderador da autoeficácia

“…As pessoas podem apresentar menor disposição para substituir um produto quando levam em consideração aspectos antropomórficos (CHANDLER; SCHWARZ, 2010). E, em algumas pessoas, podemos observar até comportamentos compulsivos de consumo relacionados a antropomorfização, como por exemplo o comportamento de acumulação (TIMPANO;SHAW, 2013;NEAVE et al, 2015).…”