The “Napoleon Complex” Does Exist, and Here’s How It Affects Our Relationships

Napoleon Bonaparte made history by his political accomplishments, his military victories, his territorial conquests, but also their personality traits and physical characteristics. Thus, we have often pointed the finger or even mocked his short stature and supposed aggressiveness. These two characteristics are so pronounced in the Emperor that psychologists have tried to find out if they were systematically present and correlated in short individuals… And it seems that it is true. During their studies, they demonstrated the existence of the “Napoleon complex”said “Short-man syndrome” in English, first mentioned by Alfred Adler.

As you can imagine, this complex therefore touches men considered small by society – those who measure less than the average located at 1m75. The latter feel so disadvantaged in relation to their male counterparts that they need compensate for their small size with attitudes, behaviors, and personality traits intended to make people forget their complex.

A harmful need for compensation

These so-called behaviors “compensation” (even of “overcompensation”) also aim to fill the gap suffered compared to the great ones, more triumphant on all levels (professional, financial, relational, romantic). Indeed, it is statistically proven that tall men win presidential elections more often, have a better salary, and are more likely to find a romantic partner. long duration moreover, according to Daily Mail UK.

To “survive” and maximize their chances in this male competition, to stand out from the others in the process of sexual selection, the little men will thus adopt aggressive character traits, bordering on toxic, which will affect them, but also their romantic surroundings. Discover how the Short man syndrome poisons the romantic relationships of the men concerned.

The Napoleon complex, a danger for romantic relationships

According to a study* mentioned by our colleagues at Men’s Healthmen affected by the Short man syndrome are more likely than others to possess the personality traits of “Dark Triad” : narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism. When deployed in the context of human relationships and romantic relationships, these character traits can be extremely toxic for those who experience them.

The Napoleon complex promotes narcissism

First, the narcissism favored by the syndrome grows man to be centered on himself (egocentrism), to only think of him (selfishness) and to neglect his or her romantic partner. The relationship can then only be focused only on the needs of the first And end up being unbalanced. Narcissism also implies a pronounced megalomania on the part of the person affected: thus, the man will tend to overestimate his abilities and feel all-powerful. In the couple, he may never question himself, believe that everything is allowed in the relationship, and consider himself dominant over his partner… So many ingredients favorable to a toxic relationship.

It feeds the lack of empathy of “small” men

Secondly, it would seem that the men who are victims of the Short man syndrome are also more likely to be psychopaths. This personality form is characterized by a lack of empathy deep and by antisocial behavior. Within the couple, the short partner affected by psychopathic tendencies can neglecting the emotions of his or her darling, ignore his feelings And lack of understanding towards this life partner.

Moreover, psychopaths are often driven by action and impulsiveness : the man touched by the complex of Napoleon can thus act without thinkingwithout thinking of the other, hurt him in the process without ever feeling any regret or guilt… He will never take responsibilityeven if you prove to him by A + B that he was wrong.

It makes men “machiavellian”

Finally, the Napoleon complex promotes Machiavellianism in affected men. These last are more likely to manipulate and exploit their lover for their own benefit, even if it can be disadvantageous or even dangerous for the other. They can take control of the relationshipto the point of become toxic.

Men affected by the Napoleon complex are more jealous

Unconfident due to their short stature, men affected by the Napoleon complex are apparently more jealous than the others when they are in a relationship. In this sense, a study conducted by Professor Abraham Buunk, of theUniversity of Groningen in the Netherlands, and relayed by our colleagues from Daily Mail UKfound that men around 1.65m tall were more likely to suffer from jealousy than those who were 2m tall.

Open-minded and in love with life, Emilie likes to decipher the new phenomena that shape society and relationships today. Her passion for the human being motivates her to write…