Short Man Syndrome does exist

[Jazzy]

Oxford University academics have found that Short Man Syndrome really does exist.

The Telegraph reports that scientists used virtual reality technology to reduce the height of volunteers travelling on a computer-simulated Tube train by ten inches.

The study showed the experience of being shorter increased reports of negative feelings, such as being incompetent, dislikeable or inferior. It also heightened levels of mistrust, fear and paranoia.

Height-reduced participants were more likely to think someone else in the virtual train carriage was deliberately staring, thinking badly about them, or trying to cause distress.

Professor Daniel Freeman, who led the study, said: "Being tall is associated with greater career and relationship success.

"Height is taken to convey authority, and we feel taller when we feel more powerful. It is little wonder then that men and women tend to over-report their height.

"In this study we reduced people's height, which led to a striking consequence: people felt inferior and this caused them to feel overly mistrustful. This all happened in a virtual reality simulation, but we know that people behave in VR as they do in real life.

"It provides a key insight into paranoia, showing that people's excessive mistrust of others directly builds upon their own negative feelings about themselves.

"The important treatment implication for severe paranoia that we can take from this study is that if we help people to feel more self-confident then they will be less mistrustful."

Source

Do you or anyone you know have Short Man Syndrome?

 

[Nebulous]

I agree, short people have a complex. I've seen it many times.

 

[Jazzy]

I had a male boss once that was short. What he lacked in height he made up for with his nasty attitude. I am by no means saying every short man acts like this but he sure did.

 

[Bluezone777]

I suppose it comes with making height the definer of value and since short people don't have much in the way of height might make them feel inferior then another and they may lash out at them for any number of reasons.

To me at least, it's not height that makes you the person you are but your willingness to in a sense lower yourself down to help the least amongst us which is defines your worth far more then your height.

At six feet tall, I am by no means short but I wouldn't be too surprised if their is an opposite to short man syndrome for those who are tall and see their value from their height which is probably just as unwelcome as what short man syndrome does to a person.

 

[DrLeftover]

When I was younger, and healthier, I had people assume that I was a "jock" since I am 6'4" and somewhat heavily built and that my IQ was only a slightly higher number than my shoe size.

So, from where I'm sitting, the study is about half.... well, we saw some at the Agricultural Show today. See photo forum.

 

[Sinon]

This kind of seems like something that didn't need to be tested. Seems too obvious.