Heroes What They Do and Why We Need Them

Heroes: What They Do and Why We Need Them explores the psychology of heroism. It considers ideas of heroism and villainy, and the relationship between them. First, what do the terms heroism and villainy mean to perceivers? Are there general conceptions of heroism, and how might they differ across time and place? Second, how does heroism happen? What are the paths that people take to become heroes, or villains? What capacities, personal traits, behaviors and decisions are heroic, and/or make people heroes? Similarly, what personal qualities and actions make people villains? And what situational contingencies affect people's motivation or ability to behave or not to behave heroically? Third, how do common or popular conceptions of heroism affect the behavior of people in general and especially of those who aspire to heroic behavior, and conversely, how and when do the actions of individuals become perceived as heroic and thereby shape popular conceptions? Allison and Goethals explore the psychology of heroism, beginning with an investigation of what the terms heroism and villainy mean to people: are there general conceptions of heroism, and how might they differ across time and place? They go on to consider how heroism happens -- the paths that people take to become heroes or villains; the heroic capacities, personal traits, behaviors and decisions; the villainous personal qualities and actions. As good social psychologists, they thoroughly examine the situations that affect people's motivation or ability to behave (or not to behave) heroically. And finally, the authors explore the reciprocal ways in which common or popular conceptions of heroism affect the behavior of people in general and especially of those who aspire to heroic behavior, and conversely, how the actions of individuals become perceived as heroic and thereby shape popular conceptions. The exploration of heroes and villains ties closely to the study of leadership. Heroes and, unfortunately, villains are frequently leaders. They may directly and intentionally influence other people's thoughts or behaviors, or they may indirectly and perhaps unintentionally influence others through the work they do and the behavioral example they create. Each chapter will begin with an example of a hero or villain drawn from popular culture, and that example will illustrate many of the themes, ideas, and bodies of research throughout that chapter.

Scott T. Allison is Professor of Psychology at the University of Richmond.

George R. Goethals holds the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professorship in Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond.