What belief involves attributing lifelike characteristics to inanimate objects?

The belief that involves attributing lifelike characteristics to inanimate objects is known as animism. This concept suggests that non-human entities, including objects, animals, and even natural phenomena, possess a spiritual essence or life of their own. People who hold animistic beliefs may see their environment as filled with spirits or conscious beings that can influence human lives. This perspective is often found in various cultural and religious practices, where natural elements are revered and respected for their intrinsic qualities.

While personification and anthropomorphism also deal with attributing human-like qualities to non-human entities, they are typically used in the context of literary or artistic expression, rather than representing a belief system. Personification often refers to giving human traits to animals or objects in stories and poems, while anthropomorphism generally describes a broader humanization of non-human things, particularly in fables or other forms of storytelling.

Imaginary play, on the other hand, involves children's imaginative activities where they may create scenarios with toys or objects, but it does not suggest a belief in the inherent life or spirituality of those objects. Therefore, animism is the most accurate term that captures the belief in assigning lifelike characteristics to inanimate objects.