The Superheroes

Inside the mind of Batman and other larger-than-life heroes.

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D.

The Psychology of Wolverine

Paradoxically, it is Logan's inability to remember where he comes from that forms the core of who he is.

Forging Man of Steel

Would humans freak out if they knew an alien lived among us?

DSM-5: “A Living Document” Dead on Arrival?

Why is DSM-5 being considered a "living document?" The main rationale, to my mind, is to “correct” for the shoddy work that is being launched this month.

We Thought Lance Armstrong Was Batman But He Was Spider-Man

We thought Lance Armstrong's wins were because he was like Batman and dedicated himself so completely to his goal. We thought he showed us what was possible for a dedicated and focused human being without superpowers. We were wrong.

Superheroes to The Rescue—For Real

Can flying like Superman in virtual reality change your behavior in the real world? Our study says "yes."

Holy Wonder Woman!

Superheroines: Something for everyone.

How Could She Do That?

A manager agrees to strip search and detain her employee all because of a phone call. What's going on there?

Batman's Mental Health Part 2

Taking Dick Grayson as a sidekick Robin was a lapse in judgement. Further lapses in judgment came with his taking on each subsequent Robin.

What's the Matter With Batman?

Batman's Mental Health, Part 1

Taking Dick Grayson as a sidekick, Robin, was a significant lapse in judgment. Further lapses in judgment came with his taking on each subsequent Robin.

Assembling the Avengers

The idea of an Avengers film was daring, the risk paid off and the film was a success. What about the psychological aspects of the film?

Limitless? Not!

Salander as Superhero

Lisbeth Salander is a captivating protagonist. Her appearance and demeanor lead us-and the characters in her world-to make assumptions about her, to pigeonhole her as a goth, a slacker, a rebel.

Carl Jung and A Dangerous Method

A Dangerous Method is film about Jung's life, and his triangular relationship with Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein.

Limitless: Some Thoughts About the Film

Forging Steel, Part 2: Soldiers, Superheroes, and Resilience

Military training provides an opportunity for soldiers to do what elite athletes do: direct their attention away from pain.

Forging Steel, Part 1: Forging Superheroes Versus Forging Soldiers

It doesn’t take the same type of courage to go into battle if you know that you can’t die, as is the case for relatively invulnerable superheroes such as Superman and Wolverine.

Captain America: A Psychologist's Review

As an origin story, Captain America must make a compelling case for why the physically slight and asthmatic Steve Rogers volunteers for a radical experimental procedure (and the risk of death) in the hope of becoming a super soldier. In my opinion, the film fails in this regard. Let me explain why.

Why You May Want to Stand Like a Superhero

You're probably familiar with the "superhero stance": the physical pose in which the superhero stands with legs spread apart, arms on hips, elbows bent.

X-Men First Class: A Psychologist’s Review

From a psychological perspective, the X-Men comic book (and film) stories are psychologically rich material, in which issues about prejudice and discrimination, teamwork, leadership, giftedness (e.g., being "special") and power are explored in ways that are both accessible and thought-provoking. X-Men: First Class continues this fine tradition.

De-Stress in 6 Seconds Using 6 Steps

Try this six-step, six-second relaxation technique to temporarily bring your stress level down; if you use the technique throughout the day, it can help lower your baseline stress level.

Thor: A Psychologist's Review

Thor’s story is rich with opportunities to plumb the lead character’s psychological depths, which were missed opportunities in this case. The film seemed very formulaic, with so many explanations of the characters and their "mission" that even if you didn't know Thor's origin story when you sat down to watch the film, you could accurately predict the rest of the story.

"I Never Lie"

Is Superman’s honesty a superpower—a pattern of behavior that requires superhuman effort? That is, does it require a strong “will” to be honest?

Being A Superhero--It's About the Costume?

People dress in costume for a variety of reasons, including the "ego boost" that can come with the garb.

Language Matters!

Imagine: You are a superhero (or police officer). You arrive at the scene of an apparent accident, and are trying to find out what’s going on. Was it simply that--a fluke accident--or it could have been the result of a nefarious act, an intentional crime?

Superheroes Are Everywhere in the News

The word superhero is used to inspire others to engage in prosocial behavior.

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark--A Review

Megamind: On Being Blue

A take home message from Megamind boils down to: how other people treat you affects your self-concept and behavior--in essence, who you become.

Heroes on the Ball Field?

It's that time of year again. As the World Series gets under way, there will be a lot of talk about "heroes." Ballplayers won't be the only ones. From a wide range of sports, winners are often referred to as heroes...

Allowing Our Imaginations Free Reign

Reading--whether the material is a book (all prose) or a comic book or graphic novel--requires readers to use our imagination. With graphic novels, this means that we readers must "fill in" what happens in the gaps in plot and action as we progress from one panel to the next. Films, by their very nature, fill in many more of those gaps for us. 

On Mental Toughness

Is mental toughness synonymous with hero? What is mental toughness?

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