Anthropomorphism, sometimes referred to as personification, is the attribution of human characteristics to animals, objects or inanimate sources (APA, 2020, p. 117). The APA Publication Style does not allow anthropomorphism.
According to www.enago.com, "We tend to ascribe human feelings and behaviours to anything we are discussing, including the research papers we are writing. ... While anthropomorphism makes for compelling storytelling, especially in mythology and religion, it has very little place in academic manuscripts" (Anthropomorphism in academic writing, paragraph 2).
See below for examples of anthropomorphism. See Walden University for more information.
Reference
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
Incorrect: Research has found that history professors were satisfied with their jobs.
Correct: Researchers have found that history professors were satisfied with their jobs.
Issue: Research does not really find; it is simply the investigation itself. The researchers are the ones who should be taking active verbs like drawing the conclusions based on the research, so only they should be doing the finding.
Walden University. (2020). Anthropomorphism. Retrieved 2019 from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter
Incorrect: The community program was persuaded to allow five of the observers to become tutors.
Correct: The staff for the community program was persuaded to allow five of the observers to become tutors.
An experiment cannot attempt to demonstrate, control unwanted variables, or interpret findings, nor can tables or figures compare (all of these can, however, show or indicate.) (APA, 2010, p. 69)
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.).
Incorrect: Leadership determined the strategic approach to implement in knowledge management.
Correct: Leaders in the organization determined the strategic approach to implement in knowledge management.
Issue: “Leadership” is a broader, generalized term. In order to be clear and specific, indicate that it was people, as leaders, who did the determining.
Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules on anthropomorphism. Reducing anthropomorphic writing has to do with what makes sense. If it makes sense for that object to take that action, then it is acceptable.
Walden University. (2020). Anthropomorphism. Retrieved 2019 from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter