Virtual relationships: Anthropomorphism in the digital age

For most of human history we have ascribed human-like capacities to other entities (anthropomorphism). Recently, the digital age has created new entities: virtual agents (VAs). Increasingly, these are complex and human-like, specifically designed elicit anthropomorphism from their owners users. We employ social psychological research theory review how, why, when people come anthropomorphize VAs. Moving beyond static representations, examine dynamics human-VA relationships how they encroaching on closest relationships, love. use psychology close ways in which may form, maintain, terminate with conclude by examining potential costs benefits relationships.