Da imaginação à ação heróica

: uma análise dos efeitos a longo prazo do Heroic Imagination project

Abstract

The present study evaluates the long-term impact of the Heroic Imagination Project (HIP) on a group of children and young people living in the Pasteleira neighborhood in Porto, Portugal. HIP is an international project founded by Philip Zimbardo, aimed at combating social indifference by fostering prosocial attitudes and behaviors through education for everyday heroism. The <heroes in training= learn to identify the psychological and social processes that can lead them to bystander behavior and are empowered to develop attitudes and behaviors that help others. In Portugal, studies conducted on the effectiveness of HIP have focused on the immediate results among young people after the program’s implementation, leaving a gap regarding its long-term effects. This work aims to address that gap by analyzing the effects of HIP on participants who are specifically members of a community where stigmatization and bystander behavior are frequent. To this end, a qualitative methodology was used, through semi-structured interviews with young participants as well as professionals and volunteers involved in the implementation of HIP in this context. The results show that participation in HIP is associated with an increase in altruistic attitudes and behaviors, the development of socioemotional skills, and a decrease in bystander behavior, demonstrating the program’s adaptability and relevance. These findings reinforce the importance of ongoing interventions in promoting the positive development of children and young people and in building more engaged communities.

Date of Award	11 Jul 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Mariana Barbosa (Supervisor)