Short man syndrome

[Andynonomous]

This term is used to explain why shorter men are highly competitive. As though they have to "prove" they are just as "good" as taller men. It can be generalized as an "inferiority complex". If a person, suspects that they are inferior, they try very hard to "hide" this inferiority, by "over-performing" in the public arena.

Although I haven't played golf in many years, I do remember that it was usually the worst golfer in a group, who cheated the most (so they weren't embarrassed by their score). The better golfers would quietly notice this cheating, but would not say anything.

Would this explain some of the biggest cheaters (ie. most likely to dope) in sports, and our acceptance of their cheating (hey, they are the "underdog", just let them have this) ?

 

[Fzotrlool]

Does that explain Tom Cruise's behaviourism?

 

[Andynonomous]

Does that explain Tom Cruise's behaviourism?

You mean his jumping up and down on Oprah's couch professing his love for Katie Holmes ?


Actually, I had the fatherless Lance Armstrong in mind. Or the legless Oscar Pistorius.

I think parents of the athletes can succumb to this as well (Judy Murray, Aggasi's father, Uncle Toni Nadal, Jennifer Capriati, and Mary Pierce's fathers).

 

[SundayRider]

This term is used to explain why shorter men are highly competitive. As though they have to "prove" they are just as "good" as taller men. It can be generalized as an "inferiority complex". If a person, suspects that they are inferior, they try very hard to "hide" this inferiority, by "over-performing" in the public arena.

Although I haven't played golf in many years, I do remember that it was usually the worst golfer in a group, who cheated the most (so they weren't embarrassed by their score). The better golfers would quietly notice this cheating, but would not say anything.

Would this explain some of the biggest cheaters (ie. most likely to dope) in sports, and our acceptance of their cheating (hey, they are the "underdog", just let them have this) ?

I don't really understand the point you are trying to make? First paragraph you talk about 'short man' syndrome. Then second about poorer golf players being more likely to cheat?

I don't think any particular type of person is more likely to dope than others really. Purely because the amount of people who have doped from different sports/backgrounds/upbringings etc tends to support this.

 

[Nathan12]

If there's anything in this, it's that short athletes are more likely to be inferior physically to taller ones, and thus have to find illegal means to make up the deficit.

But big guys dope and small guys dope- I reckon there's a good few inches between Emanuele Sell and Michael Rasmussen, but they both hit the drugs just as hard.

 

[Berzin]

This has nothing to do with doping and/or doping in cycling.

CLOSED.