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Shortman syndrome is no myth
Rex Features
We've all been exposed to it; short men who overcompensate for their lack of height through irate behaviour, otherwise known as 'short man syndrome'.
Now it seems scientists may have proof that the phenomenon really does exist.
A new study has revealed that vertically-challenged men are more prone to being jealous husbands and boyfriends than taller men.
Researchers in the Netherlands quizzed 100 men and 100 women about how jealous they were in their relationships. They were also asked how interested their partners were in members of the opposite sex.
The study showed shorter men were much more jealous than their taller counterparts.
Dr Abraham Buunk, who led the research commented: 'Taller men tended to be less jealous, and the tallest men were the least jealous.'
He added: 'In contrast very short and very tall women tended to be more jealous and women of approximately average height were the least jealous.'
Researchers believe the results show the insecurities among men and women who do not live up to society's 'ideal' height.
Past studies have revealed that women rate taller men as more attractive and powerful than shorter ones, while men prefer 'average' women, who are usually at least two inches shorter than them.
Thursday 13 March 2008
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About a year ago a study (in England) was undertaken to try and identify a more agressive trait in shorter men. It showed the opposite. The taller men were invariably more agressive. It barely raised a ripple in the media. Now a survey in the Netherlands (which only asks whether someone with a universally unattractive physical trait might feel insecure compared to someone with an attractive trait - wow. groundbreaking.) is reported throughout the media and used to justify nasty bigoted comments about agressiveness and chips on shoulders.
Lazy journalists always appeal to the nastier recesses of the public consciousness.
Comment by Richard on April 10 11:14
I feel saddened that questioning only a hundred people should end all debates about short man syndrome or as the term used in the past 'Napolian syndrome'
I am a short man.
To cut along story short!, putting people in to category boxes is all to easy, and generalisations are not helpful for men and women at all. I do not suffer from this syndrome, I think probably because i am mature and do not act like a child because i can not get everything i would like.
Comment by Ben on March 13 15:25
What constitutes a little/short/dwarf-like chap exactly?
Comment by Dan on March 13 14:18
Short men have a chip on their shoulder. They can be insecure and bitter. And they shouldn't even try attracting a girl taller than them. Wee guys just aren't sexy.
Comment by Diane on March 13 12:16