With #ShortKingSpring trending on social media earlier this year, it looks like the trope of “tall, dark and handsome” for the perfect man has finally had its day.
Heartthrobs Joe Jonas and Tom Holland, both 5’8″, are often seen walking the red carpet proudly with fellow tallies Sophie Turner and Zendaya.
But scientists at the University of Wrocław in Poland say those looking for a partner facing vertical challenges may need to proceed with caution.
They found that shorter men tend to display more narcissistic tendencies in order to appear more powerful.
Heartthrobs Joe Jonas and Tom Holland, both 5’8″, are often seen walking proudly down the red carpet with their fellow tallies in Sophie Turner and Zendaya. However, scientists from the University of Wrocław in Poland say those at finding a vertical challenge partner may have to proceed with caution. Left: Tom Holland, who is 5ft 8in, with his girlfriend Zendaya, who is 5ft 10in. Right: Joe Jonas, who is 5ft 8in inches, with his wife Sophie Turner also 5 feet 8 inches
Lead author Monika Kozłowska said: ‘When people can’t be physically great, they can become psychologically great instead’ (stock image)
Lead author Monika Kozłowska said, “When people can’t be physically great, they can become psychologically great instead.
“Smaller people with traits such as psychopathy can use them to demand respect, impose costs on others, and impress romantic partners.
“Appearing more powerful can in turn make others perceive them as bigger than they really are.”
For her study, published in the journal Elsevier Personality and Individual Differences, Ms Kozłowska investigated the so-called “Napoleon complex”.
It is a dominating or aggressive attitude displayed by short people, compensating for their lack of height and their feeling of inferiority.
It is named after French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, who is said to have been 5’2″ or 5’7″ tall in different historical accounts, and mocked by British newspapers for his height during the French Revolution.
He was also portrayed as an angry man who sought power and war from his enemies, and his alleged short stature was linked to these characteristics.
Ms Kozłowska wanted to see if there was a link between men who were deemed shorter than average and displayed the personality traits of the “Dark Triad”.
These are psychopathy, defined by a lack of empathy and antisocial behavior; narcissism, an egocentric personality style; and Machiavellianism, showing manipulation and indifference to morality.
The ‘Napoleon Complex’ is named after French commander Napoleon Bonaparte (pictured), who was 5’2″ or 5’7″ in different historical accounts
Napoleon was mocked by British newspapers for his size during the French Revolution, and this was linked to his anger and lust for power. Pictured: An illustration from 1803 which promoted the idea that Napoleon was small
Researchers surveyed 367 men and women using the Dark Triad’s “Dirty Dozen” questionnaire, where participants were asked how much they agreed with phrases such as “I tend to manipulate others to achieve my ends”.
From the responses, they were given a score that indicated how much they demonstrated psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism.
Each participant was also asked to disclose their height, as well as how happy they were with their height and how often they felt that way.
The results showed that shorter participants of both genders who wished they were taller tended to score higher on all three dark triad traits.
However, narcissism was particularly strong among male participants in this category, while this tendency was non-existent among women.
The researchers hypothesize that these associations can be attributed to evolution.
They wrote, “Smaller men can command respect, impose costs on others, acquire resources, and impress romantic partners with their traits.
“Smaller women may use deception to appear more desirable or to gain protection and resources.
“Furthermore, appearing more powerful can in turn affect others’ perception of one’s estimated height.
“We propose that formidable psychological ability may provide benefits in the areas of survival and mating that outweigh losses of formidable physical ability.”
Men With Dark Personality Traits Are More Likely To Cheating Repeatedly, Study Reveals
If your boyfriend keeps talking about how awesome he is, a new study might make you suspicious.
Researchers found that men with dark personality traits — including Machiavellianism, narcissism, and sadism — are more likely to be repeat cheaters.
The survey results also showed that men scored higher than women on both moral disengagement and dark personality traits.
“People with dark personality traits can form short-term relationships more easily because they tend to have low expectations of future partners, especially in the case of men,” said researchers Laura Ferreiros. and Miguel Clemente from the Universidade da Coruna.
Learn more here
Researchers have revealed that men with dark personality traits – including Machiavellianism, narcissism and sadism – are more likely to be repeat cheaters (stock image)
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