What term is used for attributing life-like qualities to objects?

The term used for attributing life-like qualities to objects is anthropomorphism. This concept involves ascribing human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as animals, inanimate objects, or even abstract concepts. For example, when a child talks to a doll as if it can respond, they are employing anthropomorphism.

Animism, on the other hand, is the belief that all things, including inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence or soul. While related, animism specifically pertains to a belief system rather than the act of giving life-like qualities to objects in a narrative or playful context.

Symbolic play refers to the use of objects or actions to represent other objects or ideas, such as using a stick as a sword, which does not specifically involve endowing the objects with human qualities. Metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as," which does not apply directly to attributing life-like characteristics.

Therefore, the correct answer is anthropomorphism, as it specifically describes the practice of giving human-like attributes to non-human entities.