Short-man syndrome is REAL: Scientists confirm smaller men act more jealous and competitive to make up for their lack of height

Daily Mail​

11-06-2025

From Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones to Gimli in Lord of the Rings, many of the toughest characters in film and TV are small men.
This movie trope - in which small men act more aggressively to make up for their lack of height - is often referred to as 'short-man syndrome', or the 'Napoleon complex'.
Now, a study has confirmed that this syndrome doesn't just apply in the movies.
Scientists from the Australian Catholic University surveyed more than 300 participants, and found a key link between height and intrasexual competition.
Their findings showed that shorter men were more likely to display envy, jealousy, and competitiveness than taller blokes.
'This study highlights the relationship between height dissatisfaction and intrasexual competition,' the researchers explained in their study.
'Psychological perceptions of height significantly influence social dynamics and behaviors.
'Understanding these associations can inform strategies for promoting positive body image and mental well-being, particularly among individuals who may feel marginalized by societal height standards.'
Short-man syndrome was first identified back in 1926 by the Austrian psychoanalyst Alfred Adler.
He also came up with the notion of the inferiority complex, where sufferers demonstrate a lack of self-worth.
In its classic form, short men overcompensate for their lack of height by being extra-assertive.
The complex has divided psychologists for more than a century.
Some say it describes a real phenomenon; others believe there is no evidence it exists.
In their study, published in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, the team, led by Daniel Talbot, set out to settle the debate once and for all.
'Height is a fundamental variable in intersexual selection and intrasexual competition,' the team explained.
'Taller men are rated as more desirable and formidable as romantic partners and rivals, respectively, than shorter ones.'
A total of 302 participants were surveyed across a range of measures.
This including their height, their perception of their height, and intrasexual competition (competition between same-sex).
The results revealed that, shorter people - men in particular - scored higher for intrasexual envy, jealousy, and competitiveness.
What's more, both men and women who wished they were taller were more intrasexually competitive than those who were happy with their heights.
'The findings contribute to broader discussions on how physical attributes impact social hierarchies and competition, with implications for addressing biases in various social contexts,' the researchers added.
WHAT IS SHORT MAN SYNDROME OR THE NAPOLEON COMPLEX AND WHAT ARE ITS CHARACTERISTICS?
The Napoleon Complex, also known as short man syndrome, was identified in 1926 by the Austrian psychoanalyst Alfred Adler.
He also came up with the notion of the inferiority complex, where sufferers demonstrate a lack of self-worth.
In its classic form, short men overcompensate for their lack of height by being extra-assertive and chippy.
The name itself is a actually a bit of a misnomer. Although Napoleon is assumed to have been short, he was 5ft 6in (1.7m) - around average for a man in the late 18th century.
The confusion arose from portraits of the dictator standing alongside unusually tall guards.
The complex has divided psychologists for more than a century. Some say it describes a real phenomenon; others believe there is no evidence it exists.
One study suggesting the complex is real came from Professor Abraham Buunk, of Holland's University of Groningen.
He interviewed 100 men in relationships and found that those around 5ft 4in (1.5m) tall were more likely to suffer from jealousy than those measuring 6ft 6in (2m).
However, the evidence is far from clear cut.
In 2007, researchers at the University of Central Lancashire found that tall men — not short ones — were quicker to anger when provoked.