A study conducted by the University of Minnesota has uncovered new insights into the “Batman Effect,” a phenomenon where children perform better on challenging tasks by pretending to be a fictional character like Batman, according to reflectionsciences.com.
Researchers tested 139 children, ages 4 and 6, by giving them a frustrating task: unlocking a toy box with a set of keys that, unbeknownst to them, didn’t contain the right key.
The study found that children with lower executive function (EF) skills experienced significantly less frustration when adopting the perspective of a fictional character. By role-playing as Batman, Dora the Explorer, or other popular figures, these children were able to create “psychological distance” from the task, helping them manage their emotions more effectively. This suggests that role-play could be a valuable tool for improving emotional regulation, especially in children with lower EF skills.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
