Why do some people on TV seem higher than they really are?

People who are perceived as high gain significantly on television. On television, the size of a person’s image does not exceed 15 cm, so the viewer can only subconsciously assess the real growth of the character. And this assessment is based on the impression that this person makes on the audience. That is why many small actors, politicians and other public people often look very impressive on a television screen — they just know how to present themselves. For example, Australian Prime Minister John Howard was nicknamed Little Johnny at home because he looked very soft and calm on television. Our studies have shown that voters believed that his height was 167 cm - really small for a man. In fact, Howard’s height was 175 cm. His main rival, former Prime Minister Bob Hawk, was considered by voters higher, believing that he was 185 cm tall. In fact, Hawke’s height was only 170 cm.

On television, the main role is played by human behavior, and not its real growth.

A study conducted in 1968 by Wilson showed that when a person was presented to a student audience as an ordinary student, his growth was perceived as 175 cm. When the same person was presented as a professor, the audience perceived his growth to be approximately equal to 190 cm. Powerful, energetic behavior or impressive title make a person in the eyes of others above.