Procrustean Syndrome: Why do we hate those who excel?

Sometimes, those who feel inferior try to harm those who are more skilled by humiliating and harassing them.

We live in a very competitive society in which more and more demands are placed on each person. Both at work and in other aspects of life, we are asked for excellence, originality, creativity, efficiency and high proactivity. On the other hand, however, there is tremendous pressure for uniformity, often resulting in the one who excels in some talent or skill being despised..

This means that sometimes those who have the best capabilities are not hired or are ignored, harassed and humiliated. This is the Procrustean syndromewhich I will explain in more detail below.

What is the Procrustean syndrome?

The so-called Procrustean syndrome refers to the tendency of some people, companies or even societies to reject those with characteristics different from their own, for fear of being surpassed or questioned by them. for fear of being surpassed or challenged by them.. There is a tendency to try to maintain a constant uniformity in which divergences are frowned upon and/or punished.

In this way attitudes of discrimination and even a certain level of harassment are established towards the person who excels and who towards the person who stands out and who is considered to threaten one's own position or esteem. Their ideas are ignored or misrepresented, attempts at proactivity and creativity are criticized. If the relationship with this person cannot be avoided, it is intended that the person remains within limits that do not exceed the possibilities of the person who rejects them, pushing so as to obtain a certain homogeneity in the capabilities manifested behaviorally.

Often the contact between the two subjects is intended to be correct and no conflict is apparently manifested directly, although the relationship tends to deteriorate over time. relationships tend to deteriorate over time.

Normally it occurs towards people who may be above them, but sometimes people who are considered to have lesser abilities than their own are also rejected (in this case, the aim is to modify them so that they adapt to the vision of the world of the person with this syndrome).

What type of people manifest it?

In general, the Procrustean syndrome occurs in people with a high level of frustration and little sense of control, having low self-esteem or low self-esteem.having a low or weak self-esteem. Sometimes they have suffered humiliation and different stressful and traumatic events that have caused them to doubt their own ability, so that people who are perceived as superior or with the potential to be so are aversive to them.

Also The opposite may also occur, a person with an exaggerated self-esteem to almost narcissistic to almost narcissistic limits, who sees that others stand out and are taken into account more than themselves.

The person who exercises this attitude can carry it out both consciously and unconsciously. While the first ones would try directly to produce a damage to the outstanding person on having been threatened, the second ones will tend to think that his point of view is the correct one and that they are the others who must adapt to her.

Origin of the name: the Greek myth of Procrustes

In order to understand this syndrome more easily, it may be useful to know the origin of its name, which is closely linked to the characteristics of the syndrome in question. This origin can be found in the Greek myth of Procrustes.

Procrustes, also known as Damastesis, according to Greek mythology, one of the sons of the god Poseidon. This being welcomed travelers in his home and gave them great hospitality, with a kind and willing treatment, offering them to spend the night in his abode.

However, when the guests fell asleep, Procustus would gag them and check if their size differed from that of the iron bed on which he laid them. If the person in question exceeded the size of the bed, Procusto would cut off the elements that protruded from it. If, on the other hand, he was shorter and did not occupy the entire bed, he would break his bones with a mallet in order to stretch him. In short, he made his visitors always conform to the measurements of his bed.

This would come to an end with the arrival of Theseus, who would ask him to see if Procrustes himself complied with the measurements of his bed.who would propose to him to see if Procrustes himself complied with the measurements of his bed and, after observing that it was larger, would proceed to apply the same punishment that Procrustes gave to his guests, cutting off his head and killing him.

This myth reflects the pressure to uniformity which is characteristic of the syndrome with the same name, as well as the initially affectionate and welcoming attitude that many people who manifest this syndrome imprint on their interaction, without there apparently being any type of discomfort or conflict.

Areas in which it is observed

The syndrome of Procruste can be observed in practically any environment, and can have serious effects both in the person who could stand out. Some of the areas in which this syndrome is visible are the following.

Academics

In the academic environment, those who Excel is often poorly regarded by some of his or her peersby some of their peers and sometimes even by the teachers themselves. In fact, even in childhood many gifted children strive to obtain grades within the average (we are talking about cases in which this is done consciously for this reason and not because they consider learning to be not very stimulating), especially in the case of girls due to issues related to gender stereotypes.

Procrustean syndrome has sometimes been seen in cases where different students and professionals have publicly criticized and humiliated others, because they may have felt inferior in their abilities or see their prestige endangered if the other excels. This can even occur in the teacher-student relationship when the former has low self-esteem.

An environment is created that can lead to harassment and limitation of abilities, preventing the subject from reaching his or her maximum potential and causing damage both to the training being provided and to the subject attacked by the person who manifests Procrustean syndrome, who can be influenced both in the short and long term.

Work environment

This is the sector in which the Procrustean syndrome can be most evident, especially in the business sector, as the market is highly competitive and it is possible that others who are more and it is possible that other people who are more prepared or have better skills may be more suitable for the position.

In this area, an attempt will be made to ensure that the person who stands out does not do so, undervaluing their contributions or even appropriating them.In some cases, rumors are spread about the person or his or her work in order to discredit him or her. In some cases in which the person who feels threatened has the power to do so, he/she may not hire or promote the most efficient people but others who can be dominated and who may pose less of a threat.

For the company in question, the Procrustean syndrome is an obvious detriment, as it does not allow the empowerment of the company's capabilities and resources and represents an added difficulty when it comes to expanding and enjoying success. Teamwork is hindered and a climate of tension is created that is clearly detrimental to the health of both the individuals involved and the institution they represent.

Personal level

The Procrustean syndrome is not only confined to the professional or academic sphere, but can also extend to the personal. In these cases family, friends or partners will be constantly criticized and failures or discomfort and the failures or discomfort that the person seen as a threat may feel (in this case towards self-esteem when considering that he/she can be better than the individual) will produce a certain level of joy and satisfaction (although sometimes it can be tarnished by guilt when it is done unconsciously).

There may be a tendency to avoid people who are considered superior in some characteristics. For example, people with Procrustean syndrome will will avoid potential mates who are more attractive or intelligent than themselves.. If it is not a person close to them, they will tend to isolate them, abandon them or diminish their self-esteem so that their aptitudes will also be reduced.

In this case, both the person with Procrustean syndrome and the victim will be affected, causing a toxic relationship if it ever occurs and generating suffering for both parties.