Superheroes: 4 Reasons Why We Love Them
A superhero, whether from Marvel or DC, is a cultural icon who is adored by the public. But what makes them so beloved?
Superheroes. Do they sound familiar? You don't have to follow pop culture to recognise them. I am confident that if I asked you to name one superhero off the top of your head, you would not struggle. The chances are that the superhero’s true identity is a secret and they are dressed up in a costume.
Superheroes have a certain allure to them. They have a diverse range of audiences and have been an important part of popular culture for some time in the form of books and movies. Every four months, a new superhero film is released, and regardless of their success or failure, the heroes garner moviegoers' love and appreciation. Their widespread popularity prompts the question, "Why are superheroes admired?"
I began researching and was able to identify four psychological themes underlying our fascination with superheroes: coping with adversity, prosocial behaviour, justice and morals, and, finally escapism. While these factors explain why we admire them, our exposure to superhero media can also have negative consequences for us.
Through this article, we will look at each of these factors in-depth. But first, let's go over the basics.
Shortcuts For The Busy Reader
Who Is a Superhero?
A superhero is described as someone who possesses a superpower or abilities. They are brave, self-sacrificing, and use their abilities to defend ordinary people and make the world a better place. While not all superheroes do, many choose to wear a mask or costume to conceal their identity.
The origins of superhero comics are said to be in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Superman, created by DC Comics in 1938 was one of the first costumed superheroes to appear. He is still one of the most recognisable and well-known comic book characters. Superman’s creation and popularity marked the beginning of the “Golden Age of Comics” which resulted in the creation of several superheroes.
These comics were then adapted into films and television series from their comic versions, with varying degrees of success. Currently, Marvel Studios and DC Studios are two of the largest companies in the business of producing superhero films with each new film grossing millions of dollars at the box office. Their box office numbers are extremely helpful as they are sheer indicators of the admiration that these films and their characters have amassed.
Why Do We Like Superheroes?
Now that we've taken a quick look at superheroes and their history, let's look take a close look at why we like them.
a. Cope With Adversity
Have you observed a pattern in superhero movies? Every retelling of a famed superhero almost always tends to be their origin story. Why is this the case?
The origin movies, according to Robin Rosenberg, a clinical psychologist, show us how each superhero chooses to become a hero. Their journey inspires us, the viewers to also be heroes and choose the path of altruism over things such as power or wealth.
In addition to this, there is an additional underlying layer. A recent study examined all superhero origin stories and observed that many of them have faced adversity or experienced a life-changing event.
For example, Bruce Wayne aka Batman witnesses his parents’ deaths at a very young age. He later dedicates his life to fighting for justice in Gotham City. Psychologists refer to this as stress-induced growth or post-traumatic growth wherein the individual is able to make a positive and meaningful change despite having undergone adversity.
Superhero origin stories are nothing short of inspirational and demonstrate how one can grow and cope after experiencing hardships. According to researchers, their stories can be extremely beneficial in building resilience among children who also face similar challenges. Their stories also inspire us to discover our strengths and use them to help others.
b. Prosocial Behaviour
Prosocial behaviour is defined as any behaviour that benefits others; examples include, assisting, sharing, comforting, and so on. Superheroes are the embodiment of prosocial behaviour as they repeatedly demonstrate their willingness to help others no matter the personal cost.
But how does that impact us?
According to social comparison theory, we tend to look up to someone who is performing exceptionally well in one domain which motivates us and makes us want to emulate their characteristics. This is the case with superheroes; their prosocial behaviour makes them inspirational and aspirational figures to whom we look up, encouraging us to be courageous and helpful even in difficult times.
This isn’t just hearsay; it has been examined in academic research. According to a recent study, exposure to Superhero imagery can increase a person's intention to help others. This was not limited to the intention. The researchers were able to show that these participants would follow through on their intention to assist someone in need. The study’s findings suggest that we admire superheroes’ prosocial nature because it encourages us to embody those traits and help others.
c. Morality and Justice
At what age do you think we begin to like superheroes? Around 5-6 years of age? The correct answer is much lower than that.
A study conducted by Kyoto University showed that infants as young as 6 months old were drawn to acts of justice. Infants were shown three animated characters in the study, one chasing the other and the third observing the two from a distance. The third character intervenes in the first two animated objects on one occasion and moves in a completely different direction on another. Later, when the infants were asked to choose a real-life replica from among the non-intervening and intervening characters, they chose an intervening character.
This study does suggest that possibly our fondness for superheroes may be natural and innate. While there are dozens of superheroes each with unique powers, a common denominator among them is their fight for justice. We admire their work towards protecting the powerless.
Another aspect for which we admire superheroes is their sense of morality. Despite being confronted with moral dilemmas on numerous occasions, they choose to act impartially toward everyone around them. This also implies that they will turn on their friends if there is a moral violation. An example of this can be found in the Batman films, where Batman opposes Ras Al-Gul, his teacher because the latter poses a threat to the people of Gotham.
Superheroes have unique abilities that they use for the benefit of society rather than for their own benefit. Furthermore, they are constrained by the same moral constraints as we are, making their actions more admirable, relatable, and replicable.
d. Escapism
A sense of nostalgia and the ability to transport us are two other factors that draw us to superheroes. Watching these comic characters on screen is a trip down memory lane for those who grew up reading and collecting them. Furthermore, superhero entertainment can provide an escape from the stresses of daily life for the viewer or reader. It also serves as a form of self-care, something to look forward to after a long stressful day.
However, when viewed from a social standpoint, superhero movies are more than just escapism and nostalgia. In a world filled with intolerance, terrorism and war, superhero comics and movies represent our collective hope for a better world.
Superheroes: Beyond Aspiration and Entertainment
Superhero movies and comic books, like everything else in the entertainment industry, could have negative effects on us.
One of the primary concerns about superhero movies is the presence of aggression. A study found that the average superhero film contains 41 acts of violence every hour. Remarkably, the "good guys" were responsible for 23 of the violent acts, while the "bad guys" were responsible for 18. Since the aggression from the side of the superhero is linked to protecting people, it is viewed positively. Children, however, are more likely to model their aggressive behaviour as they look up to them as role models.
According to research, children as young as preschoolers who watched superhero media or identified with superhero characters were more likely to be aggressive. Children at this age are attempting to form the foundation of appropriate social behaviour, and the glamorisation of aggression in media could have a negative impact because they cannot differentiate reel from real.
Aside from aggressive behaviour, superhero films set unrealistic body standards for young men and women ultimately impacting the latter’s self-esteem. Women who watched heroines in superhero movies reported lower body esteem while in men exposure to a muscular superhero resulted in lower self-esteem. These findings suggest that superhero movies go far beyond entertainment and can have real-world consequences for our behaviour and self-perception.
Superheroes, as we mentioned earlier in the article, are cultural icons. While they serve as role models for prosocial behaviour and justice, watching superhero movies on a frequent basis might have significant negative effects on the viewers. As an audience, it is important for us to know where to draw the line between reality and fiction.
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