Napoleon Complex

The Napoleon Complex, also known as Napoleon syndrome or short-man syndrome, is a popular, but not scientifically recognized, term describing a domineering or aggressive behavioural pattern, often associated with short men. It's believed that individuals with this 'complex' overcompensate for their perceived lack of stature through assertiveness and ambition. Both commonly and in psychology, the Napoleon complex is regarded as a derogatory social stereotype.

The term is named after Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), the first emperor of the French, who, despite being of average height for his time at 1.67 metres, is often depicted as having a short stature. This, coupled with his ambitious and often aggressive leadership style, led to the association of his personality with the complex.

People often attributed with the Napoleon complex are said to exhibit certain traits, such as aggressiveness, assertiveness, ambition, and competitiveness.

They might be quick to anger or have a strong need to dominate situations (Aggressiveness). They tend to be forceful and direct in their communication towards others (Assertiveness). They may pursue highly ambitious goals as a way to compensate for perceived shortcomings (Ambition). They might be overly competitive, especially with taller individuals (Competitiveness).

Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army is a perfect example of this complex.

It's important to understand that the Napoleon complex is not (yet) a recognized mental health condition. It's a social term used to describe a perceived pattern of behaviour.

While the term is widely used, research on whether shorter men are inherently more aggressive or ambitious is limited and has yielded mixed results. Some studies suggest that height might influence social dynamics, but it's not a definitive predictor of personality or behaviour.

Researchers found that men who were 1.63 metres in height were 50% more likely to show signs of jealousy than men who measured 1.98 metres[1]. Even evolutionary psychologists found evidence for the Napoleon complex in human males[2].

It is important to consider other factors that might contribute to aggressive or assertive behaviour, such as an inferiorly complex, personality traits, social experiences, and individual motivations.

[1] Buunk et al: Height predicts jealousy differently for men and women in Evolution and Human Behavior – 2008
[2] Knapen et al: The Napoleon Complex: When Shorter Men Take More in Psychological Science - 2018