Human behavior in public appears to improve when someone dressed as the superhero Batman is nearby, according to a new study. The research, led by Francesco Panini, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Catholic University of Milan, tested whether an unexpected presence would increase helping behavior among strangers (reported by The Independent).
In the experiment, researchers staged interactions on Milan metro trains. A woman who appeared pregnant boarded a train while observers recorded how often fellow passengers offered her a seat. The scenario was run twice: once with no unusual presence and once with a man dressed as Batman entering the carriage from another door. In total, the team observed 138 passengers.
Results showed a marked difference: more than 67% of passengers offered their seats when the person in the Batman costume was present, compared with 37% when he was absent. Interestingly, 44% of those who gave up their seats later reported that they had not even noticed Batman was there. The researchers interpret this to mean that an unexpected disruption of routine can create a heightened pattern of awareness that spreads socially, encouraging "prosocial" or help-oriented actions.
The study concludes that unexpected events—such as someone dressed as a well-known superhero—can disrupt normal routines and increase attention to the present moment, thereby promoting helping behaviors among strangers (source: The Independent).
