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Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People

Upper-Intermediate - Speaking

the ARTICLE (for teachers)

Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People
A recent study concluded that short people are more likely to feel inferior and jealous. The researchers polled
more than 500 men and women from Denmark and Spain to discover which characteristics made people feel
uneasy among romantic competitors. They discovered that men and women were most intimidated by money,
strength, looks, and charm. However, taller people generally felt less nervous and uneasy than shorter people.
In terms of evolution, this makes sense. Women who are at least of average height enjoy the best health,
popularity, and fertility with men. In addition, the study said that taller men often have more success with women.
Taller women are more dominant, too. Yet it's interesting to note that feelings of jealousy still occurred if the
perceived opponent were taller.
The most recent findings supported similar studies on height and modern culture conducted elsewhere. For
example, it's been proven that tall men are more successful in business. In another study, a look at Fortune 500
companies revealed that 58% of the CEOs were taller than six feet (169 centimeters), but only 14.5% of the US
population was of the same height - an unequal number. Moreover, taller people received better salaries than
their shorter counterparts. One inch added more than $750 to a person's salary each year. Over a person's
lifetime, this extra money would add hundreds of thousands of dollars in earnings.
The prejudice towards shorter people isn't deliberate. The unconscious bias extends to all areas of life, though.
.

Teacher's Notes:

* Underlined words in red typeface may be vocabulary unfamiliar to the students.

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Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People

Upper-Intermediate - Speaking

the ARTICLE (for students)

Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People
A recent study concluded that short people are more likely to feel inferior and jealous. The researchers polled
more than 500 men and women from Denmark and Spain to discover which characteristics made people feel
uneasy among romantic competitors. They discovered that men and women were most intimidated by money,
strength, looks, and charm. However, taller people generally felt less nervous and uneasy than shorter people.
In terms of evolution, this makes sense. Women who are at least of average height enjoy the best health,
popularity, and fertility with men. In addition, the study said that taller men often have more success with women.
Taller women are more dominant, too. Yet it's interesting to note that feelings of jealousy still occurred if the
perceived opponent were taller.
The most recent findings supported similar studies on height and modern culture conducted elsewhere. For
example, it's been proven that tall men are more successful in business. In another study, a look at Fortune 500
companies revealed that 58% of the CEOs were taller than six feet (169 centimeters), but only 14.5% of the US
population was of the same height - an unequal number. Moreover, taller people received better salaries than
their shorter counterparts. One inch added more than $750 to a person's salary each year. Over a person's
lifetime, this extra money would add hundreds of thousands of dollars in earnings.
The prejudice towards shorter people isn't deliberate. The unconscious bias extends to all areas of life, though.

Notes:

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Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People

Upper-Intermediate - Speaking

STEP ONE
Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "jealousy" for 2 minutes. Spend
another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together.

STEP TWO
Discuss: Do you agree or disagree? Why?
a. Tall people are more successful.
b. Short people are more jealous.
c. Tall women generally aren't attracted to short men.
d. Men generally aren't attracted to tall women.
e. I'm a jealous person.

STEP THREE
The Article: Read the article, and work with a partner to understand it. Lastly, summarize in your own words.

STEP FOUR
Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

What was your general impression after reading this article?

If the researchers interviewed more people from other countries, would the results be the same?
If the researchers interviewed people from your country, would the results be the same? Why/not?
What makes you feel inferior? Why
Do you have any prejudices towards short people? Please explain.
Have you ever felt discriminated against? If so, when did it happen?

STEP FIVE
Discuss: What characteristics and situations would make you jealous? With a partner, write down two
characteristics of a rival and one situation, then discuss your ideas with other students.
characteristic #1:
characteristic #2:
situation #1:

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