Superhero media, aggression, and prosocialness: Relations in adults and gender's moderating role.

The present study aimed to observe the relationships between superhero media exposure, aggression, and prosocialness in adults. We also investigated gender's moderating role. A total of 700 Brazilians participated in the study (age mean = 25.77, SD = 8.63, SE = 0.32, 57% men). Results showed a positive relation between superhero media exposure, prosocialness (r = .18), and all aggression factors (physical: r = .13; verbal: r = .08; aggressive emotions: r = .16). Aggressive emotions mediated indirect effects of exposure (physical aggression: λ = 0.12, p < .01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.05-0.21; verbal aggression: λ = 0.10, p < .01, 95% CI = 0.05-0.18). Finally, gender moderated the relationship between exposure and prosocialness (b = 0.13, t = 2.07, p = .03).

Superhero ideal, authenticity in relationships, and depressive symptoms: A multiple mediation analysis.

Striving for high achievement across multiple domains to achieve an unrealistic ideal may predict adolescents' depressive symptoms, and this relation may be explained by authenticity in meaningful relationships. This is the first known study to examine the relation between internalization of the superhero ideal, defined as the socially prescribed desire for achievement across personal and professional domains, and depressive symptoms, and to examine authenticity in relationships as a mediator in the relation between the superhero ideal and depressive symptoms. Participants were 163 adolescents (ages 12-14). Multiple mediation results utilizing cross-sectional data indicated that the superhero ideal was related to depressive symptoms and that authenticity in relationships with peers and parents partially mediated this relation. These results identify a possible explanation for understanding the relation between the superhero ideal and depressive symptoms.

Themes in Superhero-Based Television Shows: An Opportunity for the Development of Children and Adolescents Through Co-Viewing and Active Mediation.

The depiction of superheroes and comic book characters in television shows has become incredibly popular. The objective of this study was to determine the positive and negative themes depicted in a select number of superhero-based television shows. A total of 49 episodes from 10 superhero-based television shows were analyzed by four independent reviewers. The average number of positive and negative themes was 18.8 and 36.9 mean events per hour, respectively, for all included episodes. The most common positive themes in our sample were associated with service, teamwork, and encouragement, and the most common negative themes were associated with violence, bullying, and alcohol use. Although exposure to positive themes depicted in superhero-based television shows may be beneficial to the development of children and adolescents, pediatric health care providers should counsel families in an attempt to limit their exposure to violence and other negative themes depicted in this genre of television shows.

Mindfulness Training: Can It Create Superheroes?

With the emergence of the science of heroism there now exists both theoretical and empirical literature on the characteristics of our everyday hero. We seek to expand this inquiry and ask what could be the causes and conditions of a superhero. To address this we investigate the origins of mindfulness, Buddhist psychology and the assertion that its practitioners who have attained expertise in mindfulness practices can develop supernormal capabilities. Examining first their foundational eight "jhana" states (levels of attention) and the six consequent "abhinnas" (siddhis or special abilities) that arise from such mental mastery, we then explore any evidence that mindfulness practices have unfolded the supernormal potential of its practitioners. We found a growing base of empirical literature suggesting some practitioners exhibit indicators of enhanced functioning including elevated physical health and resistance to disease, increased immunity to aging and improved cognitive processing, greater resilience and fearlessness, more self-less and pro-social behaviors, some control over normally autonomic responses, and possibly some paranormal functionality. These improvements in normal human functioning provide some evidence that there are practices that develop these abilities, and as such we might want to consider adopting them to develop this capability. There are however insufficient studies of expert meditators and more research of adepts is called for that explores the relationship between levels of attentional skill and increases in functionality. We propose in search of the superhero, that if conventional mindfulness training can already augment mental and physical capabilities, a more serious inquiry and translation of its advanced methods into mainstream psychological theory is warranted.

El protegido [Unbreakable], de M. Night Shyamalan. Un superhéroe entre la fantasía infantil de omnipotencia y la búsqueda del padre / Le protégé (Unbreakable) de M. Night Shyamalan. Un superhérosentre le fantasme infantile de toute-puissance et la recherche du père / Unbreakable by M. Night Shyamalan. A superhero caught between the infantile fantasy of omnipotence and the quest for the father

Este artículo reflexiona en torno a la importancia de la función paterna como límite entre madre e hijo, mediadora en el juego de la omnipotencia infantil que compromete a ambos. Para hacerlo utiliza como material de trabajo la figura del superhéroe, creación moderna que a la vez está anclada en una tradición cultural milenaria, manifestación creativa del yo ideal, en la cual el autor piensa que se representan características a la vez universales y particulares de los procesos anímicos. Interesante, pues, para entender un poco mejor esos procesos, con la atención puesta en cada uno de los miembros de la triada formada por la madre, el padre y el hijo, y en las dinámicas del narcisismo, el Edipo y la castración que les atraviesa y regula sus relaciones. Interesante, quizá, para entender algo de los tiempos que vivimos. Una película es la excusa a partir de la cual se plantean estas reflexiones. (AU)

The article reflects upon the importance of the parental function as a boundary between mother and child, a go-between in the play of infantile omnipotence that both are engaged in. Working material is taken from the figure of the superhero, a creation that is at once modern, and rooted in a centuries-old cultural tradition; the creative manifestation of the ideal ego, in which we find, according to the author, characteristics both universal and unique to the psychic processes. It is worthwhile understanding these processes a little better, by paying attention to each of the members of the triad formed by mother, father and child, permeated as they are by the dynamics of narcissism, Oedipus and castration, which governs their relatedness. Worthwhile, perhaps, to understand the times we live in a little better. A film serves as a pretext for these reflections. (AU)

Cet article est une réflexion sur l’importance de la fonction paternelle en tant que limite entre mère et enfant, médiatrice dans le jeu de la toute-puissance infantile qui les engage tous les deux. Pour ce faire il utilise comme matériel de travail la figure du superhéros, création moderne qui est en même temps ancrée dans une tradition culturelle millénaire, manifestation créatrice du moi idéal, dans laquelle l’auteur pense que sont représentées des caractéristiques en même temps universelles et particulières des processus animiques. Intéressant, donc, pour comprendre un peu mieux ces processus, avec l’attention dirigée vers chacun des membres de la triade formée par la mère, le père et l’enfant, et dans les dynamiques du narcissisme, l’Œdipe et la castration qui les traversent et qui règlent leurs rapports. Intéressant, peut-être, pour comprendre quelque chose à l’époque actuelle. Un film est l’excuse à partir de laquelle ces réflexions sont proposées. (AU)

Positive and Negative Themes Found in Superhero Films.

Superhero films have become incredibly popular. The objective of this study was to determine the positive and negative themes found in a select number of superhero films. A total of 30 superhero films were analyzed. The average numbers of positive and negative themes were 19.4 and 29.5 mean events per hour for all included films, respectively. The most common positive themes were "assisting others/protecting the public," "positive relationships with family/friends," and "teamwork/collaboration." The most common negative themes were "acts of violence/fighting," "use of guns/knives/lethal weapons," and "bullying/intimidation/torture." Based on the superhero films included in our study, the number of negative themes, especially acts of violence, outweighs positive themes. Although an exposure to positive themes found in superhero films may be beneficial to the development of children, pediatric health care providers should counsel children and their families in an attempt to limit their exposure to violence.

El surgimiento del héroe, una historia de pérdidas. Análisis del arquetipo Jungiano del héroe, basado en la trilogía Batman de Christopher Nolan: Batman inicia (2005), El caballero oscuro (2008) y El caballero oscuro: la leyenda renace (2012) / The emergence of the hero, a story of loss. Analysis of the Jungian hero archetype, based on the Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

El siguiente artículo constituye una aproximación al desarrollo del arquetipo del héroe, y cómo su contenido se ha transformado para nuestra cultura, a través del análisis del personaje Batman en la trilogía del director Cristopher Nolan; también se trabaja sobre los contenidos que lo convierten en un superhéroe y la función del arquetipo en la psique humana. Es también el resultado de la investigación realizada como requisito para obtener el título de Psicólogo en la Fundación Universitaria Luis Amigó, de la ciudad de Medellín; la investigación comprende la metodología de estudio de caso y análisis descriptivo; en esta dirección, el trabajo se orientó en un personaje imaginario, y cómo su posible existencia está enmarcado en el desarrollo del arquetipo que trabajo Carl Gustav Jung.

This article presents an approximation to the development of the hero archetype, and how its content has entered our culture, through the analysis of Batman, the character in the trilogy of the director Christopher Nolan; it also discusses on what makes him a superhero and the role of the archetype in the human psyche. It is the result of research done as a requirement to graduate from the undergraduate program in psychology at Luis Amigó University, in Medellín city; research includes the methodology of case study and descriptive analysis; in this direction, the work focused on an imaginary character, and on how his possible existence is framed in the development of the archetype proposed by Carl Gustav Jung.

The potential transformation of our species by neural enhancement.

Neural enhancement represents recovery of function that has been lost due to injury or disease pathology. Restoration of functional ability is the objective. For example, a neuroprosthetic to replace a forearm and hand lost to the ravages of war or industrial accident. However, the same basic constructs used for neural enhancement after injury could amplify abilities that are already in the natural normal range. That is, neural enhancement technologies to restore function and improve daily abilities for independent living could be used to improve so-called normal function to ultimate function. Approaching that functional level by use and integration of technology takes us toward the concept of a new species. This new subspecies--homo sapiens technologicus--is one that uses technology not just to assist but to change its own inherent biological function. The author uses examples from prosthetics and neuroprosthetics to address the issue of the limitations of constructs on the accepted range of human performance ability and aims to provide a cautionary view toward reflection on where our science may take the entire species.