NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Homes and Lifestyle

Science Explains Why Small Men Are So Aggressive

Short in stature and short on patience? There’s a reason for that. - by Rhys McKay
  • 25 Feb 2020
Science Explains Why Small Men Are So Aggressive

Do you know an angry short person who has a bit of a complex about their height? Even if you don’t, you’re probably aware of the stereotype of the unlucky short bald guy with big anger problems – like a Dr Evil type. 

It might surprise you to learn that there is some legitimate science behind this phenomenon! Known as “small man syndrome”, the controversial theory proposes that short men tend to be more aggressive on average. Don’t believe us? Read on to learn more.

RELATED: Home and Away's Anna Cocquerel reveals her favorite body feature

What Is “Little Man Syndrome”?

The definition of this inferiority complex is simple: it’s overcompensating for one’s lack of height by being aggressive or domineering in social situations. Psychology also refers to this as “Napoleon Syndrome” (which isn’t accurate for reasons we’ll get into later), a derogatory social stereotype reinforced by society’s preference for tall men.

An old man on a child's red go-kart
Getty

Even if this is the first time that you’ve heard of the term, you’re likely familiar with the characteristics and symptoms: aggressive behaviour, mild to an extreme aversion to situations that involve their height, and taking any opportunity possible to prove their worth beyond their physical stature. While this is a stock figure we make fun of all the time, science has actually come up with a reason why this happens.

What Does Napoleon Have To Do With All This?

A random tidbit that you might have heard about is that Napoleon Bonaparte was short. That’s actually not true: Napoleon was 5’7, which is above average height for a man of that time. The misinformation primarily came from British propaganda keen on ridiculing him in the eyes of the public.

A black and white portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte
Getty

Given that the British influenced almost 3/4th of the entire world, this attitude soon mixed into our collective culture to point fingers and make fun of Napoleon.

What Does Science Have To Say?

The earliest scientific study about this syndrome didn’t have promising results. In 2007, the University of Central Lancashire found that short men weren’t prone to losing their temper more than tall men – rather, the tall men were more likely to display aggressive behaviour. 

Two men in suits staring at each other
Getty

Another study published in the Association for Psychological Science found evidence that shorter men are more likely to exhibit symptoms of the Napoleon Complex when put into a position of power against a taller opponent. They tested this by having them play the Dictator Game, where the aim of the game is to fairly divide money between two participants. Researchers found that shorter men were more likely to keep all the money for themselves if they thought the other participant was taller than them.

But a 2018 study by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam tackled this issue from an evolutionary standpoint and found that there might be a psychological, not social, reason short men have a tendency to become more aggressive. The male brain is hard-wired to be competitive in social encounters, so when another male is outclassed in physical attributes, the brain tries to compensate by adopting alternative methods for dominance.

Not All Short Men

If you want to look at male celebs insecure about their height (or have made a career out of it), look no further than Hollywood. Tom Cruise and Josh Hutcherson are short for leading men, and you can find stories about the interesting and funny ways that their directors filmed them to compensate for their lack of height.

On the other hand, stars like Danny DeVito, Tom Holland, and Kevin Hart have all owned up to their height disadvantages, proving that not all short men care about being taller than anyone else. While evolution and social convention play a role, these actors are some of the best examples we have of men that don’t really care – and look a lot cooler than their taller counterparts because of it.

Not A Big A Deal

While the “short man syndrome” might be a thing, there’s no reason to believe that all short men have a chip on their shoulder because of it. In fact, a small man comfortable in their own skin might as well be 6 foot 4!

RELATED: 15 Famous Short People: Who Is the Shortest Celebrity Of All Time?

Rhys McKay

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Get that perfect brew in the morning with these top coffee machines

Get that perfect brew in the morning with these top coffee machines

The 7 best expert-approved retinol creams for younger looking skin

The 7 best expert-approved retinol creams for younger looking skin

Gotcha Fresh Tea arrives on Sesame Street with all-new range

Gotcha Fresh Tea arrives on Sesame Street with all-new range

The best silk pillowcases to help enhance your beauty sleep

The best silk pillowcases to help enhance your beauty sleep

{headline}

{headline}

The best Oodie hooded blankets to live in all winter

The best Oodie hooded blankets to live in all winter

Embrace the colder weather with these ultra comfy hooded blankets

Embrace the colder weather with these ultra comfy hooded blankets

Live like a celeb: Home styles to inspire

Live like a celeb: Home styles to inspire

{headline}

{headline}

From coffee machines to massage guns: The best eBay Plus Weekend deals to shop

From coffee machines to massage guns: The best eBay Plus Weekend deals to shop

The top oil heaters in Australia to keep you toasty this winter

The top oil heaters in Australia to keep you toasty this winter

Saving the planet on a budget: The more affordable way to be sustainable

Saving the planet on a budget: The more affordable way to be sustainable

Improve the way you sleep with these best weighted blankets

Improve the way you sleep with these best weighted blankets

Spoil mum rotten this Mother’s Day with these ultimate gift ideas

Spoil mum rotten this Mother’s Day with these ultimate gift ideas

Here's how you can make mum's day for under $30 this Mother's Day

Here's how you can make mum's day for under $30 this Mother's Day

Make the most of a chilly night with these outdoor fire pits

Make the most of a chilly night with these outdoor fire pits

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!