<![CDATA[The rapid advancement of AI-based chatbots raises a fundamental psychological question: why do users develop genuine emotional attachments to systems that lack consciousness? This article systematically examines the role of anthropomorphism, the human tendency to attribute human-like characteristics to AI, as the primary psychological mechanism driving emotional attachment formation in chatbot users. Using a narrative-thematic literature review of twelve empirical sources published between 2021 and 2026, the findings reveal that empathic and responsive language design consistently triggers anthropomorphic perception, which in turn reinforces emotional closeness, self-disclosure, and affective dependency toward AI. This attachment is bidirectional: it provides short-term psychological benefits while carrying risks of emotional dependency that may supplant authentic social relationships. Implications include the need for transparent AI design regulation, digital-emotional literacy programs, and systematic psychological input in chatbot development.]]>
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