Mastodawn

"We conducted a quasi-experimental field study on the Milan metro, observing 138 rides. In the control condition, a female experimenter, appearing pregnant, boarded the train with an observer. In the experimental condition, an additional experimenter dressed as Batman entered from another door. Passengers were significantly more likely to offer their seat when Batman was present"

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44184-025-00171-5

Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect - npj Mental Health Research

Prosocial behavior, the act of helping others, is essential to social life, yet spontaneous environmental triggers for such behavior remain underexplored. This study tested whether an unexpected event, such as the presence of a person dressed as Batman, could increase prosocial behavior by disrupting routine and enhancing attention to the present moment. We conducted a quasi-experimental field study on the Milan metro, observing 138 rides. In the control condition, a female experimenter, appearing pregnant, boarded the train with an observer. In the experimental condition, an additional experimenter dressed as Batman entered from another door. Passengers were significantly more likely to offer their seat when Batman was present (67.21% vs. 37.66%, OR = 3.393, p < 0.001). Notably, 44% of those who offered their seat in the experimental condition reported not seeing Batman. These findings suggest that unexpected events can promote prosociality, even without conscious awareness, with implications for encouraging kindness in public settings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov n° NCT06481748; registered on July 1, 2024.

Nature

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Len Nov 24

@regehr
> This study tested whether an unexpected event, such as the presence of a person dressed as Batman, could increase prosocial behavior by disrupting routine and enhancing attention to the present moment

Okay, but how do they know that's the reasoning, rather than simply "I don't want to disappoint/anger Batman"? Like, did they repeat the experiment with someone dressed as a baddie instead?

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Mark Whybird Nov 24

@Hyperlynx @regehr They do acknowledge this:

“…the experimental manipulation involved positive symbolism (Batman is a superhero), which may have increased the salience of positive values, thereby prompting prosocial behavior, as suggested by past research investigating the effects of superhero-related priming[15,16]. It remains unclear, however, whether the observed effect is unique to Batman or would also emerge with other unexpected figures. Future research should therefore test a range of characters or disruptions, varying in both emotional valence and symbolic meaning, to clarify the boundary conditions of this effect.”

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Lumiukko Nov 24

@whybird @Hyperlynx @regehr It's very interesting how many people discuss the batman, attributing the effect to that particular character or because they feel the urge to behave well, without reading the paper. In the paper it clearly states that the authors are not sure what the cause is. They even say it is more likely just the disruption of the normal state, leading people to pay more attention to other things.

So many sibling commenters should just glance over the discussion section.

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Len Nov 24

@lumiukko indeed, I did not read the whole paper. I did read the summary, from which I pulled the quote.

Seems like a reasonable enough confounding factor that they ought to have used a clown, or a dinosaur, or The Penguin, or a guy in a gorilla suit, or... And failing that, why not mention in the summary why not? It seems pretty significant.

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Solitha

@Hyperlynx Limitations in funding, perhaps.

Experimentation generally starts small. You find interesting correlations, and seek funding for a more full-fledged experiment or hope others can pick up your lead and do so.

@lumiukko