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Taller people are seen as more dominant and attractive. The effects are stronger for men.

Shorter men are more competitive with other men.

New research suggests that dissatisfaction with one’s height also affects competitiveness, and other feelings.

The psychological effects of height dissatisfaction are seen in women as well as men.

Height is one of the most important physical characteristics when it comes to attracting romantic partners and seeing off potential rivals. Psychologists have long known that taller people are perceived as more attractive, dominant, and competent. Taller people are more likely to be promoted to management roles and elected to public office. These effects are particularly strong for men.

Because tallness carries a privilege, psychologists have also investigated whether a person’s height affects the way that person thinks and feels. There is evidence that shorter men and men who claim to be taller than they really are tend to be more intrasexually competitive—more competitive with other men. Shorter men also express more intense jealousy and may be more antagonistic. Some psychologists term this phenomenon the “Napoleon complex” in a reference to the famously belligerent........

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