It means transferring human traits and characteristics onto different species.
Cats drive is one of instinct rather than emotion. We may wish to see or interpret feline behaviour as them feeling like we do about our babies (both human and feline) - but it's not really there. Some human traits can be seen in felines (depression is a good example), but I don't believe cats are 'maternal' in the same way as we are. I don't think they attach great importance in anything other than reproducing and continuing their species in the very best circumstances there are.
For example if the environment is wrong, or unsafe for their kittens, early generation hybrids will kill their litter, come into season and mate again, moving on to a safer environment (which is one of the reasons why the breeding of Savannahs... and at one time Bengals.. results in such an expensive kitten!).
My Bengals behaviour is pretty much as I would expect, believing what I do about their reproductive instinct. "Right, job done, let me at the boys again".
