Effect of Self-reported Height on Occupational Rank Among Police Officers: Especially for Women it Pays to be Tall

Abraham P Buunk,Gert Stulp,Wilmar B Schaufeli

doi:10.1007/s40806-021-00281-1

Abstract

This study among 725 male and 247 female police officers from The Netherlands examined the association between self-reported height and occupational rank from the perspective of sexual selection. Male and female police officers were taller than the average population. A larger percentage of women than of men was found in the lowest ranks, but in the leadership positions, there was a similar percentage of women as of men. Overall, but especially among women, height was linearly associated with occupational rank: the taller one was, the higher one’s rank. These effects were independent of educational level and age. The implications for evolutionary theorizing from the perspective of sexual selection on the effect of tallness on status and dominance among women are discussed.

Highlights

Throughout the evolution of many species, height has been an important trait subject to sexual selection. Darwin (1871) suggested that males were larger than females in most mammals because males compete more strenuously for access to mates, and large size is advantageous in such contests
The present study examined if among police officers selfreported height is related to occupational rank
It was expected that overall, taller officers would be higher in rank than short officers, and more likely to attain important leadership positions

Summary

Introduction

Throughout the evolution of many species, height has been an important trait subject to sexual selection. Darwin (1871) suggested that males were larger than females in most mammals because males compete more strenuously for access to mates, and large size is advantageous in such contests. Darwin (1871) suggested that males were larger than females in most mammals because males compete more strenuously for access to mates, and large size is advantageous in such contests. Larger males are more likely to win fights against smaller males (Archer, 1988), and tend to occupy higher social ranks and to show more social dominance (e.g., Andersson, 1994), which enhances both access to resources and to females. There is evidence to suggest that height is related to physical dominance: taller men are physically stronger (e.g., Carrier, 2011; Puts, 2010), are more aggressive, and have better fighting ability (e.g., Archer & Thanzami, 2007).

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