{"id":2890,"date":"2013-05-17T08:38:12","date_gmt":"2013-05-17T12:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/?p=2890"},"modified":"2019-03-28T08:53:31","modified_gmt":"2019-03-28T12:53:31","slug":"10-reasons-why-we-need-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/2013\/05\/17\/10-reasons-why-we-need-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Reasons Why We Need Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Scott T. Allison<\/a> and George R. Goethals<\/strong><\/p>\n

People often ask us why we need heroes.\u00a0 Although the phrase \u201cwhy we need them<\/em>\u201d is in the subtitle of our first HEROES book<\/a>, we\u2019ve never really offered a succinct list of the many reasons why heroes are so important to us.\u00a0 Here we aim to do just that, hoping you\u2019ll forgive us for offering up yet another top-10 list.<\/p>\n

Below we\u2019ve assembled 10 major reasons why people need heroes.\u00a0 This list isn\u2019t meant to be exhaustive by any means.\u00a0 But it\u2019s a good start.\u00a0 Here goes:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 We\u2019re born to have heroes<\/span><\/strong> — More than a half-century ago, Carl Jung proposed the idea that all humans have collectively inherited unconscious images, ideas, or thoughts, which he called archetypes<\/em>.\u00a0 These archetypes reflect common experiences that all humans (and their ancestors) have shared over millions of years of evolution, and the main purpose of these archetypes is to prepare us for these common experiences. \u00a0Two such archetypes, according to Jung, are heroes<\/em> and demons<\/em>.\u00a0 Current research appears to support Jung \u2013 scientists have found that newborn babies are equipped with a readiness for language, for numbers, for their parents\u2019 faces — and even a preference for people who are moral<\/a>. \u00a0Humans appear to be innately prepared for certain people and tasks, and we believe this may include encounters with heroes.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Heroes nurture us when we\u2019re young<\/span><\/strong> — Our research has shown that when people are asked to name their own personal heroes, the first individuals who often come to mind are parents and caretakers<\/a>.\u00a0 All of us owe whatever success we\u2019ve had in life to the people who were there for us when we were young, vulnerable, and developing.\u00a0 \"\"<\/a>When we recognize the great sacrifices that these nurturers and caretakers have made for us, we\u2019re likely to call them our heroes.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Heroes reveal our missing qualities<\/span><\/strong> — Heroes educate us about right and wrong.\u00a0 Most fairytales and children\u2019s stories serve this didactic purpose, showing kids the kinds of behaviors that are needed to succeed in life, to better society, and to overcome villainy.\u00a0 It is during our youth that we most need good, healthy adult role models who demonstrate exemplary behavior.\u00a0 But adults need heroic models as well.\u00a0 Heroes reveal to us the kinds of qualities we need<\/a> to be in communion with others.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Heroes save us when we\u2019re in trouble<\/span><\/strong> — This principle explains the powerful appeal of comic book superheroes.\u00a0 People seemingly can\u2019t get enough of Batman, Superman, Spiderman<\/a>, Iron Man, and many others. We are moved by stories of magical beings with superhuman powers who can instantly remove danger and make everything right.\u00a0 This principle also explains our extreme admiration for society\u2019s true<\/em> heroic protectors \u2013 law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and military personnel.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Heroes pick us up when we\u2019re down<\/span><\/strong> — Life inevitably hands us personal setbacks and failings.\u00a0 Failed relationships, failed businesses, and health problems are common life experiences for us.\u00a0 Our research has shown that it is during these phases of great personal challenge in our lives that heroes are most likely inspire us to overcome whatever adversity we\u2019re facing.\u00a0 \"\"<\/a>Heroes lift us up when we\u2019re personally in danger of falling down<\/a> emotionally, physically, or spiritually.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 Heroes give us hope<\/span><\/strong> — Independent of our own personal well-being, we cannot help but recognize that the world is generally a troubled place rife with warfare, poverty, famine, and unrest.\u00a0 Heroes are beacons of light amidst this vast darkness. Heroes prove to us that no matter how much suffering there is in the world, there are supremely good people around whom we can count on to do the right thing, even when most other people are not. Heroes bring light into a dark world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0 Heroes validate our preferred moral worldview<\/span><\/strong> — One fascinating theory in psychology is called terror management theory<\/a>, which proposes that people\u2019s fear of death strengthens their allegiance to cultural values. Just the simple act of reminding people of their mortality leads them to exaggerate whatever moral tendencies they already have.\u00a0 For example, studies have shown that reminders of death lead people to reward do-gooders and punish bad-doers more than they normally would.\u00a0 Just thinking about the fragility of life can lead us to need and to value heroes.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0 Heroes provide dramatic, entertaining stories<\/span><\/strong> — Psychologists have long been aware of the power of a good, juicy narrative.\u00a0 Stories of heroes and heroic myth have entertained humans since the dawn of recorded history.\u00a0 Joseph Campbell<\/a> documented recurring patterns in these hero stories in his seminal book, and virtually all hero stories feature these time-honored patterns.\u00a0 Today\u2019s media are all-too aware of our\"\"<\/a> hunger for hero stories and take great delight in building celebrity heroes up and then tearing them down.\u00a0 People have always been drawn to human drama and they always will be.<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0 Heroes solve problems<\/span><\/strong> — Our research has shown that people\u2019s heroes are not just paragons of morality. They also show superb competencies directed toward the goal of solving society\u2019s most vexing problems.\u00a0 Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine.\u00a0 George Washington Carver introduced crop rotation into agriculture. Stephanie Kwolek invented the material in bullet-proof vests that have saved the lives of countless law enforcement officers.\u00a0 Heroes give us wisdom<\/a> and save lives with their brains, not just with their brawn.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0 Heroes deliver justice<\/span><\/strong> — People from all cultures possess a strong desire for justice.\u00a0 After members of the Boston police captured the Boston Marathon bomber, crowds of citizens lined the streets to applaud their heroes.\u00a0 Research has shown that we need to believe that we live in a just world where good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.\u00a0 The preamble to the 1950s Superman television show spoke of superman\u2019s never-ending quest for \u201ctruth, justice, and the American way<\/em>\u201d.\u00a0 Heroes quench our thirst for fairness and lawfulness.<\/p>\n

– – – – – –<\/p>\n

So there you have them \u2013 10 reasons why people need heroes.\u00a0 These reasons tap into basic human needs for survival, nurturance, growth, education, safety, security, healing<\/a>, happiness, health, hope, wisdom<\/a>, <\/strong>and justice<\/strong>.\u00a0 None of us can meet these important needs without significant help from others.<\/em>\u00a0 We certainly hope \u2013 and strongly suspect — that as long as humans have these needs, we\u2019ll have extraordinary people whom we call heroes willing to step up to help us.<\/p>\n

For more information, here are some academic articles we’ve written<\/a> about heroes and the psychology of heroism.<\/p>\n

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– – – – – – –<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Scott T. Allison and George R. Goethals People often ask us why we need heroes.\u00a0 Although the phrase \u201cwhy we need them\u201d is in the subtitle of our first HEROES book, we\u2019ve never really offered a succinct list of the many reasons why heroes are so important to us.\u00a0 Here we aim to do … Continue reading 10 Reasons Why We Need Heroes<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1182,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5444],"tags":[5443,27449],"class_list":["post-2890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary-and-analysis","tag-heroes","tag-why-we-need-heroes"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phawtM-KC","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1182"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2890"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5552,"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2890\/revisions\/5552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/heroes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}