· Psychologists link beloved object to intuitive belief
· Study shows most will not swap for identical item
Children become emotionally attached to cuddly toys, blankets and even smelly old scraps of material because they intuitively believe they possess a unique essence or life force, psychologists said yesterday. In a study that will surprise few parents, it was found that children preferred their cherished comfort blankets or favourite raggedy bear over duplicates apparently identical in every way.
The results suggested that even very young children invest in such objects intangible qualities that cannot be replicated.
The study compared the reaction of the children to that of art enthusiasts who prefer an original to a copy that is identical in every way.
"We anthropomorphise objects, look at them almost as if they have feelings. The children know these objects are not alive but they believe in them as if they are."
clipped from: www.guardian.co.uk