Study shows what really makes someone a superhero is selflessly working for the greater good - whether you’re Superman or a frontline healthcare worker

Researchers have finally answered one of pop culture’s most enduring questions: do all superheroes wear capes? The answer, according to the team from University of Galway, University of Florida, and University of Arkansas, is a resounding no.

 In a study of the top 25 highest-grossing superhero movies, the research team meticulously reviewed 97 major characters that included Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, the Avengers, Iron Man 3, Marvel and Aquaman.

 It found that the characters capes do not make them a superhero. What transforms them into one is a good heart. The single strongest predictor of superhero status was having an altruistic mission, where nearly every superhero (98%) demonstrated a commitment to helping others.

 The study has been published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science.

 The authors, superhero film enthusiasts, carried out their analysis after hours, outside of their day jobs, independently watching all 25 movies over two months.

 The team had a preselected list of possible superhero attributes, including whether the hero is human or alien, their intelligence, whether they have an alter ego (think Clark Kent) and, of course, altruism and a cape. They also examined villains, who sometimes enjoy capes, but are absent from altruism.

 Dr Derek O’Keeffe, senior author of the study and Professor in Medicine at University of Galway, said: “Capes may look dramatic, but it’s altruism that truly defines a superhero. Our analysis shows that what really makes someone a hero is selflessly working for the greater good - whether you’re Superman or a frontline healthcare worker.”

 The study’s light-hearted design had serious undertones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors, nurses, teachers, and first responders were frequently described as “superheroes without capes”. This research offers empirical support that cultural sentiment: altruism, not superpowers or costumes, is the hallmark of heroism.

 The researchers also cautioned that while the superhero narrative can be inspiring, it can also place unrealistic expectations on real-life professionals and contribute to burnout.

 Dr Naykky Singh Ospina, lead author and Associate Professor in the College of Medicine, University of Florida, said: “Meaningful work gives people purpose, but even heroes need rest. Our findings highlight both the uplifting and the challenging sides of the ‘healthcare hero’ label.”

 Lest anyone thinks this scientific study is no more authentic than Captain America’s “vibranium” shield, the analysis is very real, right down to its citations, design and statistical analysis. The researchers’ purpose is to use it to teach medical trainees and others how studies are built, but in a translatable and accessible way.

 Using a scientific approach and rigorous methodology, the team set research protocols, decided what traits to look for in superheroes, calculated sample size and did all the things scientists do to examine and test a question.

 So, the next time you see a cape fluttering on the big screen, remember: true heroism is less about the outfit - and more about the mission.

 Read the full study here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-04080-6 and here:

file:///C:/Users/0116056s/Downloads/s11845-025-04080-6%20(2).pdf

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