On superheroes

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The Psychology of Superheroes

Edited by Robin Rosenberg, PhD

This latest installment in the Psychology of Popular Culture series turns its focus to superheroes. Superheroes have survived and fascinated for more than 70 years in no small part due to their psychological depth.

In The Psychology of Superheroes, almost two dozen psychologists get into the heads of today’s most popular and intriguing superheroes. Why do superheroes choose to be superheroes? Where does Spider-Man’s altruism come from, and what does it mean? Why is there so much prejudice against the X-Men, and how could they have responded to it, other than the way they did? Why are super-villains so aggressive? The Psychology of Superheroes answers these questions, exploring the inner workings our heroes usually only share with their therapists.

Essays

• Introduction: The Psychology of SuperheroesRobin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
• The Positive Psychology of SuperheroesChristopher Peterson
• The Social Psychology of the Justice League of AmericaWind Goodfriend, Ph.D.
• Superman's PersonalityRobin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
• Anti-Heroism in the Continuum of Good and EvilMichael Spivey, Ph.D.
• Positive Psychology of Peter ParkerRobert Biswas-Diener
• Prejudice Lessons from the Xavier InstituteMikhail Lyubansky, Ph.D.
• When I Grow Up I Want to Be a SuperheroBryan J. Dik, Ph.D.
• Is There a Superhero in All of Us?Peter A. Hancock
• Mind-Reading SuperheroesWilliam J. Ickes
• An Appetite for DestructionChuck Tate, Ph.D.
• The Stereotypical (Wonder) WomanChuck Tate, Ph.D.
• What Would Freud Say?Andrew R. Getzfeld, Ph.D.
• Coming to Terms with BizarroSiamak Tundra Naficy
• Coping with Stress...The Superhero WayStephanie R. deLusé, Ph.D.
• Arkham AsylumBradley J. Daniels
• The Incredible HulkChristopher J. Patrick, Ph.D.
• Gender Typicality and Extremity in Popular CultureKerri L. Johnson
• Cracking the Superhero's Moral CodePeter DeScioli