Dressing up as Batman makes subway commuters act like everyday superheroes: sudy

Holy compassion, Batman!

Dressing up as Batman makes subway commuters treat each other more nicely, a recent study from Italy found — in a victory for everyday superheroics sure to make the Joker frown.

Milan-based researchers tested whether an out-of-the-blue disruption — such as a weirdo in a Caped Crusader costume on a metro train — could KAPOW! SOCK! ZZWAP! people into helping others, namely a woman who appeared pregnant.

The experiment found 67% passengers were far more likely to offer the pretend pregnant woman a seat with the Dark Knight brooding nearby, compared to 38% when he wasn’t.

“Such ‘Batman effect’ supports the hypothesis that disruptions to routine can heighten awareness of one’s surroundings and enhance sensitivity to the needs of others, ultimately promoting prosocial actions,” the study in npj Mental Health Research found.

The do-goodery didn’t necessarily come from actually seeing Batman either.

“Notably, 44% of those who offered their seat in the experimental condition reported not seeing Batman,” the study states.

The researchers hypothesized that disruptions in routine could socially spread awareness and kindness, “influencing behavior even among those not directly aware of the initial disruption” — in a sort of reverse to the villain’s plot in “Batman Begins” to goad Gothamites into tearing their own city apart.

The experiment used a woman with a prosthetic pregnancy belly and a man dressed as Batman, albeit with his mask removed to avoid frightening passengers.

“The costume nevertheless included the characteristic cape, logo, and pointed cowl, making it easily recognizable,” the study states.

But in a minor rebuke to Bane’s chilling declaration that “No one cared who I was until I put on the mask,” Milan metro passengers still helped the seemingly pregnant woman even with a maskless Batman.

Women also didn’t need a subway superhero to turn into Wonder Woman. They were more likely than men to offer up their seats, with or without Batman around, the study found.

Researchers noted Batman, as a superhero, could simply inspire positive behavior.

“It remains unclear, however, whether the observed effect is unique to Batman or would also emerge with other unexpected figures,” they wrote.

“In conclusion, this study suggests that unexpected events can increase prosocial behavior by momentarily disrupting automatic attention patterns and fostering situational awareness. These findings open new avenues for understanding the environmental and cognitive mechanisms underlying prosociality, and suggest potential applications for promoting kindness and cooperation in everyday settings—extending the ‘Batman effect’ to non-superheroes as well.”