Superhero media, aggression, and prosocialness: Relations in adults and gender's moderating role.

The present study aimed to observe the relationships between superhero media exposure, aggression, and prosocialness in adults. We also investigated gender's moderating role. A total of 700 Brazilians participated in the study (age mean =  25.77, SD = 8.63, SE = 0.32, 57% men). Results showed a positive relation between superhero media exposure, prosocialness (r = .18), and all aggression factors (physical: r = .13; verbal: r = .08; aggressive emotions: r = .16). Aggressive emotions mediated indirect effects of exposure (physical aggression: λ = 0.12, p < .01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.05-0.21; verbal aggression: λ = 0.10, p < .01, 95% CI = 0.05-0.18). Finally, gender moderated the relationship between exposure and prosocialness (b = 0.13, t = 2.07, p = .03).