Psychologists from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan conducted an original experiment, seating a person in a Batman costume in a subway car to observe passengers' reactions.
The results of the experiment were striking: with the appearance of the "Dark Knight" people began to help each other more often, give up seats and show attention to those around them.
This may look like an attempt to win an Ig Nobel Prize, but the study is interesting in terms of what drives people to altruism
- the study's authors
During the experiment passengers were asked to give up their seats to a pregnant woman. Without Batman about 37% of people did so, and when the superhero appeared this figure rose to more than 67%. At the same time nearly half of those who gave up their seats did not even notice Batman's presence, which indicates a subconscious influence.
Among those who gave up their seats, no one linked their gesture to Batman's presence, and 43.75% did not notice him at all
- researchers
The researchers emphasize that this "Batman effect" could be used to encourage altruism in everyday life, for example through urban artworks or social campaigns.
A British study also showed a link between prosocial behavior in children and healthy eating in adolescence.
