An investigation in Italy found that metro travelers were more likely to give up their seat to a pregnant woman when a man dressed as Batman was in the carriage.
A new study carried out by Milan researchers published in the journal NPJ Mental Health Research suggests that even small unexpected acts in the daily routine can significantly increase prosocial behavior. In this case, the interruption came in the form of Batman.
Research found that subway passengers were much friendlier and more likely to offer your seats to a woman who appeared pregnant when a person dressed as the iconic comic book hero entered the train.
The experiment, led by Università Cattolica professor of clinical psychology Francesco Pagnini, tested a simple scenario: researchers recorded how often passengers voluntarily gave up their seats when a woman who appeared to be pregnant entered the metro.
In the control group, only about 38% of the passengers stood up to offer him their seat. When the same situation was repeated when a silent individual, dressed in full Batman costume, entered the subway through another door, the willingness to give up seat shot up to approximately 67%.
According to the team, the striking difference illustrates how the novelty can take people out of the mental autopilot that often characterizes daily commutes. Pagnini notes that this is in line with previous research on mindfulness, which shows that be more present and aware increases empathy and generosity.
Women were responsible for the majority of acts of giving up seats in both conditions, but Batman’s presence increased their willingness to help in all groups.
Interestingly, almost half of those who offered their seats with Batman present later stated that had not consciously noticed in the costumed figure.
Researchers say this suggests the effect may operate subconsciously: Even without direct awareness, the unusual presence appears to disrupt habitual thinking enough to stimulate more attentive behavior, says .
Although Batman himself is central to the study’s iconography, the authors emphasize that the findings do not specifically refer to the superhero.
Instead, they highlight how unexpected stimuli, especially those linked to powerful cultural symbols, can change social dynamics.
The figure of Batman, widely associated with justice and moral behavior, may have subtly prepared passengers to act more altruistically, the team suggests.
