Procrustean syndrome: why do we hate those who stand out?

We are in a very competitive society in which more and more is demanded of each person. Both at work and in other vital aspects, we are asked for excellence, originality, creativity, efficiency and high proactivity. On the other hand, however, there is tremendous pressure towards uniformity, the one who excels in some talent or ability is often despised.

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

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What is the Procrustean syndrome?

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

Thus attitudes of discrimination and even a certain level of harassment are established

towards the person who stands out and who is considered may threaten one's position or esteem. Their ideas are ignored or misrepresented, attempts at proactivity and creativity are criticized. If the relationship with said person cannot be avoided, it is intended that the person maintain limits that do not exceed the possibilities of the person who rejects them, pressing so as to obtain a certain homogeneity in the manifested capacities behaviorally.

Often the contact between the two subjects is intended to be correct and apparently not to manifest any type of conflict directly, although relationships tend to deteriorate over time.

Normally it is given to people who may be above, but sometimes people who are considered to have minors are also rejected capacities than their own (in this case, they are intended to be modified so that they adapt to the vision of the world of the person with this syndrome).

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What kind of people manifest it?

Procrustean syndrome usually occurs in people with a high level of frustration and little sense of control, having a low or labile self-esteem. Sometimes they have suffered harassment and different stressful and traumatic events that have caused them to doubt their own capacity, with which people who are perceived as superior or with the possibility of being so are aversive

Also the opposite case can occur, a person with exaggerated self-esteem to almost narcissistic limits that see that others stand out and are more taken into account than themselves.

Whoever exercises this attitude can carry it out both consciously and unconsciously. While the former would directly try to cause harm to the outstanding person by seeing himself threatened, the latter will tend to think that their point of view is the correct one and that it is the others who should adapt to it.

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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, closely linked to the characteristics of the syndrome in question. This origin is found in the Greek myth of Procrustes.

Procrustean, also known as Damastes, is according to Greek mythology one of the sons of the god Poseidon. This being welcomed travelers into his home and gave them great hospitality, with a friendly and willing treatment, proposing to spend the night in his home.

However, when the guests fell asleep, Procrustes gagged them and checked if his size differed from that of the iron bed in which he laid them down. In the event that the person in question exceeded the size of the bed, Procrustes went on to cut the elements that protruded from it. If, on the contrary, he was shorter and did not occupy it entirely, he would break its bones with a mallet in order to stretch it. In short, he made his visitors always fit the measurements of his bed.

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

This myth reflects the pressure for uniformity that 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 their interaction, without apparently there being any type of discomfort or conflict.

Areas in which it is observed

Procrustean syndrome can be seen in virtually any setting, and can have serious effects on both the person who might stand out. Some of the areas in which this syndrome is visible are the following.

academic field

In the academic field who excels is often misconsidered, both by some of their classmates and sometimes even by the teachers themselves. In fact, even in childhood many gifted they strive to obtain grades within the average (we are talking about the cases in which this is done consciously for this reason and not because they consider learning unstimulating), especially in the case of girls due to issues related to gender stereotypes.

On some occasions the Procrustean syndrome has been seen in cases in which different students and professionals have publicly criticized and humiliated others, because they have been able to feel inferior in capacities or see their prestige endangered if the other stands out. This can occur even in the teacher-student relationship when the former has a low self-esteem.

An environment is created that can generate harassment and limitation of capacities, the subject being attacked not being able to reach his maximum potential and causing damage both to the training that is being exercised and to the subject attacked by the person who manifests Procrustean syndrome, which can be influenced both in the short and long term term.

Labor sphere

This is the sector in which the Procrustean syndrome can be more evident, especially in the business sector, as there is great competition in the market and it may be that other more prepared or better-skilled people are more suitable for the position itself.

In this area, they will try to ensure that the person who stands out does not do so, belittling their contributions or even appropriating them, establishing an excessive level of control over the subject in question and in some cases rumors are spread regarding his person or work in order to discredit him. In some cases in which the person who feels threatened has the power to do so, they may not hire or promote the most efficient people, but others that are more dominable and that may mean less threat.

For the company in question, the Procrustean syndrome is clearly detrimental, since it does not allow the potentiation of the capabilities and resources of the company and suppose an added difficulty when it comes to expanding and enjoying success. Teamwork is difficult and a climate of tension is clearly detrimental to the health of both the subjects involved and the institution they represent.

personal sphere

The Procrustean syndrome is not only limited to the professional or academic, but can also extend to the personal. In these cases family, friends or couples will be constantly criticized and the failures or discomfort that the person seen as a threat may feel (in this case towards self-esteem by considering that it may be better than one's own). individual) will produce a certain level of joy and satisfaction (although it can sometimes be clouded by guilt when done in an unintentional way). unconscious).

There may be a tendency to avoid people who are considered superior in some characteristics. For example, people with Procrustean syndrome they will avoid possible partners more attractive or intelligent than them. If it is not a close person, there will be a tendency to isolate her, abandon her or lower her self-esteem so that her abilities are also reduced.

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