Final answer:
Anthropomorphism is the act of attributing human characteristics or behaviors to nonhuman entities. It is related to Piaget's preoperational stage and the development of Theory of Mind (ToM).
Step-by-step explanation:
Anthropomorphism is the act of attributing human characteristics or behaviors to nonhuman entities. An example of anthropomorphism is when we depict animals talking or behaving like humans in children's stories. In Piaget's stages of cognitive development, anthropomorphism is related to the preoperational stage, where young children tend to attribute human-like qualities to inanimate objects or animals. Anthropomorphism is also connected to the concept of Theory of Mind (ToM), which refers to the understanding that others have thoughts, feelings, and beliefs different from our own. Anthropomorphism can lead to the development of ToM as it requires recognizing the distinction between human and nonhuman mental states.