Bibliography

John T. Cacioppo, et al. "Making Sense By Making Sentient: Effectance Motivation Increases
Anthropomorphism." Journal Of Personality & Social Psychology 99.3 (2010): 410-435.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
Cacioppo and colleagues delve into the meaning of the word anthropomorphism
by first tracing it back to its roots and defining how and why it exists. Focusing
the study on effectance motivation, six different studies are presented whose
results suggest the relationship between effectance motivation and
anthropomorphism. The article concludes with commentary on the psychological
benefits of anthropomorphism, claiming that since anthropomorphism promotes
self-efficacy, it may in turn promote physical and mental health, along with
bolstering moral concerns.
Lulka, David. "Embodying Anthropomorphism: Contextualizing Commonality In The Material
Landscape. (Cover Story)." Anthrozoos 21.2 (2008): 181-196. Academic Search Complete. Web.
2 Feb. 2013.
Revolving about the conflict in La Jolla, California regarding the influx of seals in
a beach designed for children, Lulka explores the various aspects of
anthropomorphism, specifically bringing it to a different light. As opposed to the
oft spoken about cognitive anthropomorphism, Lulka instead draws attention to
the dualism of mind and body in anthropomorphism and laments
traditional philosophers merely comparing the highly advanced minds of humans
to the less developed ones of nonhumans. Lulka continues by claiming that
traditional monistic thinking has discredited anthropomorphism and has
created a stereotype of it being used in the education of children to instill a
misperception of nature through gross analogy. Lulka concludes by summarizing
the La Jolla situation while proposing the use of anthropomorphism to not only
protect the seals but also to use the opportunity to better educate children by
actively engaging them with nature rather than objectifying it.
Kar, Angshuman. "Narayan's "A Tiger For Malgudi" And Ecocriticism." Anq 21.2 (2008): 65-71.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Feb. 2013.
Kar evaluates R.K. Narayans novel A Tiger for Malgudi as whether or not it
stands as an effective source of ecocriticism. Kar first tracks the development of
literature from anthropocentric to ecocentric. By briefly touching upon the finer
points of Narayans novel, Kar concludes that while Narayan may have had some
worthy environmental concerns initially, the story written from the tigers
perspective becomes so steeped in anthropomorphist sentiment that any
ecocriticism is lost in the sheer fantasy of the novel. Kars analysis of the novel
emphasizes that while portraying animals in a sympathetic light is commendable,
allowing anthropomorphism to cloud ones vision can obscure the fact that
animals are not humans and that transposing humanistic values to animals is
neither realistic nor particularly beneficial.

Zelko, Frank. "From Blubber And Baleen To Buddha Of The Deep: The Rise Of The
Metaphysical Whale." Society & Animals 20.1 (2012): 91-108. Academic Search Complete.
Web. 3 Feb. 2013.
Zelko chronicles the shift in the American opinion of whaling in the 70s,
morphing from indifference to staunch opposition. Beginning at the peak of
hunting whales for sport and government agencies initial concern for the
declining populations of whales, Zelko describes how anthropomorphism geared
towards whales and other such mammalian sea creatures helped foster
a pop culture explosion of love for the animals. Culminating in the eventual
abolishment of whaling, Zelko concludes by marveling at the malleability of the
human mind. He also notes that while anthropomorphism saved the whales from
extermination, it is a tricky tool that does not always guarantee the same result (as
demonstrated by the lack of conservationism for pigs, despite its cultural
popularity in the media).
Scott, Shelly R. "Conserving, Consuming, And Improving On Nature At Disney's Animal
Kingdom." Theatre Topics 17.2 (2007): 111-127. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Feb. 2013.
In an analysis of the Disney Animal Kingdom Park, Scott criticizes Disney for
creating a consumer oriented wonder that is not merely an experience, but what he
coins as a hyperreal experience. Scott begins by exploring the lessons Disney
has to offer children, making note of the destructive ways in which Disney utilizes
anthropomorphism to heighten the experience of the park but at the price of
misrepresenting animals and nature, especially noting that the spectacle of the sets
and human actors and stories surrounding the acts are placed in the forefront.
Meanwhile, the animals the purported attractions of the park pale in
comparison. Scott carries on by detailing the faults of several parts of the park,
and concludes by commenting on the rehearsed shows and trained animals that
had been meant to depict nature in the wild, and disgusted by the
anthropomorphist Disneyfication of nature, resulting in a park where humans
supposedly celebrating animals are merely celebrating themselves.