Are short people more likely to be angry and aggressive when compared to tall people? At least according to one recent study by researchers working at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, the answer is yes (but it’s not a direct correlation).
The vertically challenged among us are more likely to compensate for their lack of height by displaying more aggressive traits than taller people.
Although, the conclusions of the study are not entirely straightforward.
Researchers observed 600 men between the ages of 18 and 50 and asked them a series of questions surrounding masculinity.
The purpose of their study was to observe the effects of masculine discrepancy stress — i.e. “stress that occurs when men perceive themselves as falling short of the traditional gender norms”.
They wanted to see if people who perceived themselves as less masculine by societal standards had a greater propensity for engaging in stereotypically masculine behaviors like substance abuse, violence, and risk-taking.
What they found was that men who feel the least masculine are around three times more likely to participate in assaults that lead to an injury or commit violent assaults with a weapon.
So how does all this relate to short people?
While the study does not specifically mention short people, it is well known that there is an association in our society between height and perceived masculinity.
We have also all heard of the Napoleon Complex, named after Emperor Napoleon I who ruled over France in the early 1800s. According to Wikipedia, “common folklore supposes that Napoleon compensated for his lack of height by seeking power, war, and conquest.”
The Napoleon Complex was observed and confirmed by evolutionary psychologist Mark van Vugt in a study his team conducted in 2018.
Their study provided support for the idea that “shorter males are more likely to show indirect aggression in resource competitions with taller males.”
As a result, it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to predict that someone who is short may perceive themselves as less masculine, thus leading to them experiencing higher masculine discrepancy stress.
Ultimately, this would then predict higher rates of violent behavior, although, more research would be needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Complicating the matter further is the fact that another study from 2007 came to the conclusion that the Napoleon Complex is likely a myth.
So which group of scientists is right?
Unfortunately, the jury is still out, but there is ample reason to believe that short people may be angrier and more aggressive on average than tall people.
However, everyone is different, and it is never a good idea to make broad generalizations about any individual before actually getting to know them. Keep that in mind when considering these various studies and their potential implications.
What has been your experience?
Are the shorter people in your life generally angrier and more aggressive than the tall people you know?
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