The potential applications for this research are worth a mention, too:

These findings contribute to discussions on how public spaces and social interventions can be designed to encourage kindness and cooperation. If unexpected yet non-threatening events can increase mindfulness and prosocial behavior, urban planners, policymakers, and psychologists may consider ways to integrate “positive disruptions” into daily life. This could range from artistic or theatrical interventions in public spaces to strategic messaging campaigns designed to momentarily break routine and engage individuals more deeply with their environment and community.

It sounds like more public art can lead to more pro-social behavior, especially if the art is changed periodically (to keep it "unexpected.") There's a lot to be explored with this idea.

Sure, but where is the control group who saw ManBat instead of BatMan? Further research is required.

It also stands to reason that more people are likely to notice the pregnant woman when their attention is drawn to a nearby Batman, whether that attention is direct or drawn by other people looking at Batman.

More people noticing the pregnant woman increases the chance that one of them will offer their seat.

I was expecting a meme and I'm walking away learning about pro-social behavior

Batman University

Amazing, it's real! I had never heard of this before.

Pretty sure that was the hypothosis the experimenters came to. Suddenly seeing batman out of the corner of your eye is way more jarring that it forces you to focus more on your surrondings.

I think an easier experiment would be the same pregnant woman, but alone and she's wearing more eye catching trousers + shoes

(Easier in the sense that I don't have to do anything...)

What? Why with the tab removed...? And also, wouldn't that just be someone in a black robe?

Why, of all of Batman's rogues gallery, the Riddler? I feel like the Joker would've been the obvious choice.

This actually really does sound like a good addition to the study. See if it's any different with a villain.

Dude, I want you well rested and ready to fight at a moment's notice. You get a whole bench if you want it. Hell, I'd even listen^1^ if you just need to vent; Joker has got be fucking exhausting to deal with.

1. It's no superpower, but it's what I can do.

Username checks out

Looks like the "Put Kevlar specific glue on the seat" plan is a bust...

I mean, I can imagine very well that you can just tell from their emotions.

Like, let's say this was their emotion timeline without superhero costume:

🧍‍♂️😃🙂😮‍💨❌

If they'd just generally be in a better mood, the emotion timeline would look like this:

🦸😁😄😃🙂😮‍💨❌

So, their mood starts higher, but there's the same rate of decline.
Whereas, if they persevere, it's more like this:

🦸😃🙂😮‍💨😔😑❌

So, similar starting mood as without costume, but the decline is only at the start until they hit the point where they would normally give up.
And then they muster the perseverance to continue, despite being in a bad mood from that point on.

Obviously, you'd need to formalize that, and not every kid will show the same emotions. But when averaged, I do think that gives you a scientific result.

He can buy his own seat.

Hell, he can buy his own train!

I wouldn't want to be in a vulnerable position like being seated if Batman was about to get into a brawl with goons.

Also with batman and joker fighting.

and with pregnant batman vs pregnant joker

Because I value asking good questions rather than a) assuming, or b) just not even asking or wondering

Don't worry, Batman just made those guys fall asleep, he didn't give them a TBI.

neither is the ape