U.S. Children’s Attitudes Toward Superheroes (2007)

Martin, J. (2007). Children’s attitudes toward superheroes as a potential indicator of their moral understanding. Journal of Moral Education, 36, 239-250.

• Small, correlational study involving two fourth-grade classrooms in a school on the east coast.

• Results indicated that participants generally rated themselves and their superhero as being high on prosocial behaviour, although this trend was driven by male participants. 

• Findings suggest that there may be a relationship between how primary school boys feel about themselves and how they feel about superheroes.

“Children may be drawn to superheroes not just because of their powers, but also because of the behaviour they promote. Therefore, a way to learn more about a child or student may be to learn about which superheroes they identify with and why.”