
Chapter
Psychology of Superheroes
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KS3 / Biology / Genetics and evolution
KS4 / Psychology / Knowledge, understanding and skills / Biological – an understanding of biological concepts within psychology, including neuroscience and genetics as contributors to behaviour
Psychologists are still trying to figure out whether we are born with certain characteristics (nature), such as being the brave and heroic type, or whether we learn those behaviours after we are born (nurture). In the world of superheroes, we find that some superheroes have had their superpowers from birth (nature). For example, Thor (the God of Thunder) in the Marvel superhero universe was born with enhanced strength and stamina. However, some Superheroes are not born with superpowers must work hard to learn the skills needed to undertake heroic tasks. For example, Batman (Bruce Wayne) trains himself physically and mentally to fight crime in Gotham City after he sees his parents murdered.

Task 1:
You are going to look at the origins of some superheroes, decide if they inherited their powers through their genes (nature), or they have acquired their superpower (nurture) during their life. It may not be completely clear cut!
Name: | Scarlet Witch | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | X-Men and Avengers | |
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Name: | Superman | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | Justice League | |
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Name: | Invisible Woman (Susan Storm) | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | Fantastic Four | |
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Name: | Professor X (Charles Xavier) | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | X-Men | |
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Name: | Captain America (Steven Grant Rogers) | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | Avengers | |
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Name: | Wonder Woman (Diana Prince) | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | Justice League | |
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Name: | Iron Man (Tony Stark) | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | Avengers | |
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Name: | Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) | Are their features due to nature or nurture? |
Universe: | Marvel University | |
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It is important to remember that even through superheroes may have been born with a superpower they will also be shaped by the environment. For example, although superman is born with the ability to fly, he must learn how to fly with the help of his adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent. In non-superheroes, behaviours can be the combination of both nature and nurture. This means it is very difficult to identify which behaviours people are born with and which are the result of their environment. For example, if someone is good a running is that because they were born with the right characteristics to be a good running, such as having long legs? Or do people become good at running because they undertake a lot of training? The answer is likely to be a mixture of both nature and nurture.
Task 2:
If you could be a superhero what powers would you have? Create your character and give them a back story about why they have their powers.
Remember to include if they inherited their characteristics or acquired them during their life.e
Superhero Name: | Draw your character: |
Superpowers: | |
Back story: |