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The Superheroes

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

Adoption
Thor: A Psychologist's Review

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on May 7, 2011

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.

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.

Deception
"I Never Lie"

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on April 26, 2011

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?

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?

Cognition
Language Matters!

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on February 23, 2011

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?

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?

Genetics
Megamind: On Being Blue

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on December 1, 2010

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.

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.

Sport and Competition
Heroes on the Ball Field?

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on October 28, 2010

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...

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...

Imagination
Allowing Our Imaginations Free Reign

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on October 1, 2010

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. 

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. 

Bullying
Comic-Con: Nerd and Geek Community

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on August 6, 2010

Depending on where they grew up and went to school, people who are nerds or geeks may socially have had a hard time--they may have been victims of bullying or social ostracism--or had a perfectly fine time with a group a like-minded friends.

Depending on where they grew up and went to school, people who are nerds or geeks may socially have had a hard time--they may have been victims of bullying or social ostracism--or had a perfectly fine time with a group a like-minded friends.

Personality
Wonder Woman as Émigré

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on July 7, 2010

The classic origin story of Wonder Woman is the tale of a young woman desperate to emigrate to a new land--filled with men and different customs.

The classic origin story of Wonder Woman is the tale of a young woman desperate to emigrate to a new land--filled with men and different customs.

Anger
Kick-Ass and Media Violence

Robin S. Rosenberg Ph.D. on April 15, 2010

It is shocking for most people to see a 10-year-old who is so calloused to witnessing and perpetrating violence that her slicing and dicing of people is all in a night's work. 

It is shocking for most people to see a 10-year-old who is so calloused to witnessing and perpetrating violence that her slicing and dicing of people is all in a night's work.