by With #ShortKingSpring hitting social media earlier this year, it seems like the “tall, dark and handsome” trope for the perfect man has finally died out.
Heartthrobs Joe Jonas and Tom Holland, both 5’8″, are often spotted proudly walking the red carpet with their taller significant others, Sophie Turner and Zendaya.
However, scientists say those looking for a vertically challenged mate may need to proceed with caution.
A study found that smaller men tend to display more narcissistic tendencies in order to appear more powerful.
Heartthrobs Joe Jonas and Tom Holland, both 5’8″, are often spotted proudly walking the red carpet with their taller significant other, Sophie Turner and Zendaya. However, scientists from the University of Wrocław in Poland say those looking for a seek vertically challenged partners may need to tread carefully.Left: Tom Holland, who is 5’8″, with his girlfriend Zendaya, who is 5’10”. Right: Joe Jonas, who is 5’8″ with his Mrs. Sophie Turner who is also 5ft 8in tall
Lead author Monika Kozłowska said, “When people can’t be physically impressive, they can become psychologically impressive instead” (stock image)
Lead author Monika Kozłowska, from the University of Wrocław in Poland, said: “When people can’t be physically impressive, they can become psychologically impressive instead.
“Minor people with traits like psychopathy can use them to command respect, impose costs on others, and impress romantic partners.
“The appearance of more powerful ones, in turn, can cause other people to perceive them as larger than they really are.”
For her study, published in the Elsevier journal Personality and Individual Differences, Ms. Kozłowska examined the so-called “Napoleon complex”.
This is a dominating or aggressive attitude displayed by smaller people to compensate for their lack of stature and sense of inferiority.
It is named after French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, who was either 5’2″ or 5’7″ tall in various historical accounts and was derided by British newspapers for his height during the French Revolution.
He was also depicted as an angry man seeking power and war from his enemies, and his supposedly smaller stature was associated with these traits.
Ms. Kozłowska wanted to see if there was a link between men who are considered below average short and who exhibit the personality traits of the “Dark Triad”.
These are psychopathy defined by lack of empathy and antisocial behavior; narcissism, an egocentric personality style; and Machiavellianism, demonstrates manipulation and indifference to morality.
The ‘Napoleon Complex’ is named after French commander Napoleon Bonaparte (pictured), who has been given as 5’2″ or 5’7″ in various historical accounts
Napoleon was ridiculed by British newspapers for his greatness during the French Revolution, which was associated with his anger and hunger for power. Pictured: An 1803 illustration promoting the idea that Napoleon was short
The researchers surveyed 367 men and women using the “dirty dozen” Dark Triad questionnaire, which asked participants how strongly they agreed with statements such as “I tend to manipulate others to get my way.”
From the answers, they received a score indicating how much they displayed psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism.
Each participant was also required to disclose their height, how satisfied they were with their height, and how often they felt this way.
The results showed that smaller participants of both genders who wanted to be taller tended to score higher on all three Dark Triad traits.
However, narcissism was particularly strong in male participants in this category, while this trend was not present in females.
The researchers suspect that these associations are due to evolution.
They wrote: “Smaller men can command respect, impose costs on others, acquire resources, and impress romantic partners with their qualities.
“Smaller women can use deception to appear more desirable or to gain protection and resources.
“Additionally, appearing more powerful may affect others’ perceptions of one’s estimated height.
“We propose that psychological manipulation may provide benefits in survival and mating domains that offset losses from physical manipulation.”
Study shows men with dark personality traits are more likely to be unfaithful repeatedly
If your boyfriend is always talking about how awesome he is, a new study may encourage you to be careful.
Researchers have 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 detachment and dark personality traits.
“People with dark personality traits are more likely to form short-term relationships because they generally have low expectations of their future partners, especially in the case of men,” said researchers Laura Ferreiros and Miguel Clemente of the Universidade da Coruna.
Read more here
Researchers have found men with dark personality traits — including Machiavellianism, narcissism and sadism — are more likely to be repeat cheaters (stock image)
