Are Heroes Born or Made?
But what makes real-life people take heroic actions in the face of great danger?
This question is at the heart of hero psychology and requires that we first define what heroism is.
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Examples of Heroism
Perhaps the best way to understand heroism is to see it in action.
When looking around, we can find many examples of heroism in everyday life.
The Psychology of Heroism
Why do people like those mentioned above become heroes?
Are there anycharacteristics of heroismthat these individuals seem to share?
These are the types of questions that the psychology of heroism attempts to answer.
Here are a few theories related to hero psychology.
These things don’t typically involve personal risk on our part.
Is heroism something we are born with or is heroism something that can be learned?
Others suggest that heroism can be learned.
More specifically, it involves reciprocal altruism.
According to reciprocal altruism, we help others with the expectation that someday they might help us in return.
In such cases, situational, cultural, and personality variables can play pivotal roles.
After people take heroic actions, they often claim that they don’t see themselves as heroes.
They were simply doing what anyone in that situation would have done.
What Causes Someone to Not Be Heroic?
The same situational forces that galvanize some individuals to heroic acts can actually impede others from helping.
Some people may also have personality traits that predispose them to not behave in altruistic and heroic ways.
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