What Are Heroes Like?

A real life hero, Pat Tillman, a former college and professional football star, gave up a life of riches and celebrity to become an Army ranger.

He had it all yet he saw life in nobler terms. With the images of the horror of 9/11 etched in his brain, he responded to the inner voice of patriotism within him. He personally chose to help to defend our country from those who meant us harm. Pat Tillman’s life ended on a mountainside in Afghanistan fighting the terrorists.

"There is in Pat Tillman’s example," said Senator John McCain of Arizona, "in his unexpected choice of duty to his country over the riches and other comforts of celebrity, and in his humility, such an inspiration to all of us to reclaim the essential public-spiritedness of Americans that many of us, in low moments, had worried was no longer our common distinguishing trait."

Tillman’s death calls to mind the less well known soldiers who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. They didn’t spurn millions to defend their country, but they gave all they had, their own lives for the sake of others. They are all heroes - people to honor and remember for their sacrifice. Tillman, being who he was, would want their sacrifices to be equally remembered for doing their duty.

What makes people heroes? How does someone govern themselves with such a personal code of honor that he or she is willing to lay down their life for others?

Psychologists Selwyn Becker of the University of Chicago and Alice Eagly of Northwestern University have studied the qualities of heroism in men and women. Their findings are reported in the April 2004 edition of the American Psychologist.

Heroic behavior embodies the highest aspirations and values of religion and culture. These are real life examples of people who have exhibited courage, nobility of purpose, and service to others by taking personal risks that far exceed the bounds of ordinary behavior. This form of heroism goes beyond prosocial or helping behavior.

Heros and danger. Becker and Eagly looked at people who voluntarily exposed themselves to risks of life or injury-threatening dangers to help someone else avoid some calamity.

Qualities important to heroism include a high degree of empathic concern for others and a willingness to take risks. This reflects different avenues of gender socialization for men and women.

Extending this courageous helpfulness to others different than oneself both distinguishes men and women heros. These actions may reflect the acceptance of brotherhood with all humans taught by religious and ethical creeds. Because more men are in public social roles that protect communities and society, such as soldiers, fire fighters and police officers, their heroic acts are more visible.

Men and heroism. There are important gender differences in psychological and psychophysiological factors that go into heroic acts. Men have an advantage of greater speed, upper body strength and propensity for quick, impulsive action. Effective action in an emergency situation of extreme danger requires an ability to suppress emotion and maintain control despite a high state of arousal. That is consistent with masculine stoicism.

Most heroic acts are performed by men. This is because of the physical demands of heroic acts and the exclusion of women from social roles and settings where danger of death is present.

People who intervene in crime prevention are generally bigger and have had past training in dealing with crimes and emergencies. They describe themselves as strong, aggressive, principled and emotional. Qualities such as readiness for quick reaction, personal strength, capabilities based on past training and an empathic concern for others are key factors in spontaneous actions by rescuers.

According to Becker and Eagly, there is a greater tendency for men to perform heroic actions when they are being observed by others. The presence of an audience helps men behave as men are supposed to behave when danger is present.

Women and heroism. Women are motivated to perform heroically also. Their socialization involves a high degree of empathic concern. Through their roles as nurturers, women’s heroism in rescuing is particularly manifest when the rescuer knows the people in danger. The decision to help is facilitated when the rescuers gradually become aware of the plight of their neighbors, friends and co-workers. There is contemplation of the risks and consequences involved.

Women’s heroism is shown by such actions as hiding holocaust victims, donating kidneys to a family member or volunteering for service in dangerous environments. The heroic acts of women are generally more private, less known to the community and more common than the public realizes. Becker and Eagly feel that more awareness of women’s heroism will take place as more and more women are involved in law enforcement, combat roles in the military and emergency rescue work.

An example. With the jolt of Pat Tillman’s life and death, we can take stock and give our full support to those servicemen and women who put themselves in harm’s way. They are there for us.

We can also give thanks to the other heroes in our lives who selflessly serve and do what is needed - giving to us their overflowing expression of devotion. Heroes teach us how good we can be - and ought to be.