Template
A physical object may be further specified as being a person in order to facilitate response to the vagaries of its behaviour (e.g. automobiles or ships named by the owner, operator or crew; naming of hurricanes).
Metaphor
A non-physical psycho-cultural phenomena may be further specified as being a person in order to organize a wide range of complex experiences associated with it in terms of human characteristics, motivations and activities.
[Features]The range of human characteristics, motivations and activities imputed to the physical object. The explanatory power rendering the phenomena comprehensible to most people.
[Contrast]Throughout the history of man, complex psycho-cultural phenomena have been recognized as the expression of deities or other beings with semi-human characteristics calling for an appropriate pattern of response to ensure the survival of the tribe. Complex modern problems may be defined as though they had human characteristics ('Inflation has outmanoeuvred the programmes of national governments'). Ideas may also be treated as people with an appropriate life cycle ('Infra-red astronomy is still in its infancy').
[Keys]Contrast between treating phenomena as having selected human characteristics and giving a phenomenon a human name. Named deities and archetypes.