Psychology talks about the inferiority complex, where women but especially men develop compensatory efforts to overcome it. But is it only related to height?
The so-called “Napoleon Complex “, also known as little man syndrome is a term used by psychology to commonly speak of inferiority complex .
Describe the idea that Some short people may compensate for their lack of height by developing aggressive behavior. , dominant or ambitious stand out and overcome what they perceive as a disadvantage.
This concept finds its origin in the historical figure of the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who was relatively short (but not as much as is usually exaggerated: 1.68 meters) and who achieved great conquests and political successes in France.
The term suggests that His ambition and domineering attitude could have been a way to compensate for his short stature. .
What is the so-called Napoleon complex
It is a dysfunction first mentioned by the Viennese psychoanalyst Alfred Adler which, according to reports BBC assured that All children develop a feeling of inferiority when surrounded by adults who are taller and more capable than they are. .
In his theory, Adler described the concept of inferiority complex Or People who feel inferior develop compensatory efforts to overcome this feeling. .
This can lead to developing a excessive ambition or power and control behaviors to compensate for the feeling of inadequacy.
Sometimes these efforts lead people to place themselves on a fictitious pedestal and, from above, address others, which is very typical of people who feel obliged to hide their weakness. This is the outer layer that Alfred Adler is talking about.
“These are people who always seem to be competing and encourage others to demonstrate their strengths or abilities, pointing out others’ mistakes in order to reaffirm themselves. . In this case we are usually talking about personality profiles with deep insecurity and low self-esteem that build a sense of superiority as a defense mechanism that places them in this place of great omnipotence, to avoid feeling their true fragility and their devaluation”, he explains. In a note on the subject, published by The country the psychologist and director of the Higher Institute of Psychological Studies in Madrid, Maribí Pereira.
Adler discovered that Many people suffer from some degree of inferiority and their behavior may be influenced by trying to compensate or overcome these feelings. .
In turn, The superiority complex is a psychological response in which a person attempts to present themselves as superior or dominant to hide their underlying feelings of inferiority. .
According to Adler’s research, all children feel inferior, although not all children develop this dysfunction.
What science says about the Napoleon complex
Lance Workman, professor of psychology at the University of South Wales, told BBC that many people associate the Napoleon complex with short people, especially men, who They are more aggressive and have a bad temper .
The idea behind this perception is that these individuals compensate for their lack of height with a stronger personality.
Workman assures that there is no scientific basis to support this theory.
According to what the psychologist says BBC“Several studies show that this is just a myth “.
“When this belief was tested in the laboratory, analyzing tall and short men, the data showed that taller individuals tended to become angry more easily.”
But Workman mentioned a common trait among short men, a fact that research supports: jealousy .
“Short men were more jealous than tall men when their partners talked to other people “.
The academic summarizes that, according to studies, we can say that the Napoleon complex has more to do with jealousy than with aggressiveness.
So, do short people have an inferiority complex?
What is sexual selection
Workman, who specializes in psychobiology, says short men, in particular, may feel marginalized or discriminated against.
The explanation lies in what is called sexual selection .
“In ancient times, women tended to prefer taller men perhaps because they were seen as better providers or hunters,” the academic said.
According to him, This perception was difficult to change although today we no longer need hunters to bring food home.
“Height is associated with high status, which negatively affects short men ” says Workman.
Vince Graff, a journalist measuring 1.57 meters tall (20 cm shorter than the average male in the UK), shared his difficulties finding a partner on the radio show. The Why Factor.
“Height doesn’t reflect how interesting or capable a person is, but it is the first thing others notice about you. » Graff commented.
The communicator also recognizes having faced a self-imposed complex that took him time to understand.
“I don’t think being short stops you from achieving things per se; what stops you is thinking like this “, he assures.
For his part, Dr. Dror Paley, an orthopedic surgeon who performs leg lengthening procedures on short people, states in an article published in BBC that The inferiority complex associated with height continues to affect many people. , even after an operation .
“Even after the operation, some still feel depressed , whether they really are or not », assures the doctor.
Who are the shortest men and women in Latin America
A survey carried out in 2024 by the network of scientists, Collaboration on NCD risk factors obtained a surprising answer with data obtained between the years 1985 and 2019.
The study showed the height of people in every country in the world, including Chileans, both men and women.
Namely, on average, The height of Chilean men is 172.9 centimeters while that of Chilean women reach 159.4 cm .
According to the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, there has been a prolonged natural increase in the height of both sexes over the nearly four decades covered by the study.
On the one hand, The Chilean in 1985 measured on average only 169.3 centimeters. which means a growth of 3.6 centimeters until 2019.
The women of the year 85, for their part, They measured on average 156.1 centimeters which equates to a similar growth of 3.3 centimeters through 2019.
Overall, the study indicates that over four decades there has been a general increase in average height in Chile . Although there have been years when the growth of Chileans has stagnated.
For example, the average height of men between 2002 and 2007 remained stable at 171.6 centimeters.
Among women, the longest period without growth occurred between 2005 and 2008, when the average height was 158.6 centimeters.
Among Latin American countries, data from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration shows that Peru has the lowest number of inhabitants in Latin America .
In this Latin American country, men are on average 166.8 centimeters tall and women 154.4 centimeters tall.
Check below the average height of men and women in Latin America, according to data published by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration study:
Men
Argentina: 174.8 centimeters
Bolivia: 168.1 centimeters
Brazil: 175.7 centimeters
Chile: 172.9 centimeters
Colombia: 171.9 centimeters
Equator: 167.3 centimeters
Paraguay: 173.8 centimeters
Peru: 166.8 centimeters
Uruguay: 174.3 centimeters
Venezuela: 173.5 centimeters
Women
Argentina: 161.2 centimeters
Bolivia: 155.6 centimeters
Brazil: 162.4 centimeters
Chile: 159.4 centimeters
Colombia: 158 centimeters
Equator: 155.2 centimeters
Paraguay: 159.8 centimeters
Peru: 154.4 centimeters
Uruguay: 161.6 centimeters
Venezuela: 160 centimeters
Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
