A recent investigation has revealed a heightened inclination for individuals to exhibit benevolent actions towards others when Batman is observed nearby—and the underlying rationale may defy initial assumptions.
While this might initially appear to be an ambitious endeavor aimed at securing an Ig Nobel Prize, the study fundamentally represents a fascinating exploration into the catalysts for prosocial conduct.
Psychologists affiliated with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy orchestrated a series of experiments aboard the Milan metro, with the objective of discerning whether passengers would cede their seats to expectant mothers.
The pivotal element? On occasion, a participant impersonating Batman was present. The researchers sought to ascertain if the presence of the iconic caped crusader influenced passengers’ propensity to offer their seats.
Indeed, a discernible correlation emerged. Across 138 distinct experimental trials, a seat was offered to an experimenter simulating pregnancy (by wearing a concealed prosthetic belly) 67.21 percent of the time when Batman was in proximity.
This figure represents a substantial increase compared to instances where the superhero was absent, during which a seat was offered by a fellow passenger only 37.66 percent of the time.
To preclude any suspicion of collusion between the Batman impersonator and the pregnant passenger, they entered the carriage separately, maintained a distance of several meters, and refrained from any interaction throughout the trials.
The inquiry then turns to the reasons behind Batman’s apparent influence on fostering greater civility. It appears that the motivation is unlikely to stem from a fear of appearing ignoble in the eyes of a character renowned for apprehending wrongdoers.
“When prompted for the rationale behind their considerate action, the majority of responses across both experimental conditions pointed to the significance of acknowledging pregnancy, with some directly referencing societal expectations, upbringing, or personal safety,” the authors of the study articulate in their published work.
“Intriguingly, among those who relinquished their seats in the experimental scenario, none explicitly attributed their gesture to Batman’s presence, and a notable 14 participants (43.75 percent) indicated they had not seen Batman at all.”
Instead, the research team posits a hypothesis that the observation of an unusual spectacle in one’s environment may elevate self-awareness, thereby increasing the likelihood of perceiving the needs of others.
For instance, consider a scenario where one is engrossed in a podcast during a typical commute, likely paying scant attention to fellow travelers. However, an individual entering the train in a Batman costume is highly likely to capture attention, consequently drawing awareness to a pregnant passenger who might require seating assistance more urgently.
This effect might manifest subconsciously, explaining why individuals did not overtly connect their altruistic act to the appearance of the Dark Knight. The cases of participants who reported not noticing Batman present a more complex explanation, though the researchers suggest they might have instead observed the stir Batman’s presence caused among other passengers.
Nevertheless, augmented environmental awareness is not the sole potential determinant, according to the research team.
“It is also conceivable that the superhero archetype amplified the salience of cultural values, gender roles, and norms of chivalrous assistance, aligning with existing research on the ‘priming’ effect associated with superheroes. In essence, the persona of Batman could effectively serve as a prosocial primer,” explains Francesco Pagnini, a psychologist at UniCatt.
To definitively confirm these findings, the researchers recommend conducting analogous experiments involving different fictional characters to ascertain if this phenomenon is exclusive to Batman. It remains to be seen whether altruistic behaviors would similarly increase in the presence of, for example, Darth Vader, a figure notably not associated with prosocial actions.
The findings of this study have been disseminated in the esteemed journal npj Mental Health Research.
