[net.misc] Brunettes vs. Blondes

wargo (11/15/82)

First let me say sorry for the un-finished first message.
Now at a first glance do you feel that Brunettes have a higher I.Q.
then do Blondes?

Please send responces to net.misc or me direct  
ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdcsla:wargo

rew (11/19/82)

I have a pet theory concerning the attitudes in our culture
regarding blondes.  These attitudes seem to be cross sexual
to some degree - that is, similar traits are ascribed to blondes
of both sexes.  Among these are lack of intelligence, naivete
and culturally 'sex-appropriate' positive physical characteristics. 
For example, the stereotypical blonde woman:  dumb, large breasted
and naive; the stereotypical blonde man: dumb, large muscled and
naive.  We all know, of course, that these are stereotypes,
nonetheless, they persist.

I suggest that these stereotypes are derived from perceptions
of children in cultural groups where children have blond hair
that gradually turns darker as they grow older.  The perceived
characteristics of young children (lack of intelligence
relative to adults, naivete and physical well being, again
relative to their decrepit elders) appear to be those ascribed
to older individuals who retain the distinguishing characteristic
of children.

Now this hypothesis leads to several predictions:
	
	Cultural groups in which people retain predominantly
	blond hair throughout adult life should not have
	the stereotyped view of blondes, since blond hair is
	not associated with young children exclusively.

	Cultural groups in which young children are not blond
	to start out with should not have stereotyped views
	of blondes, since blond hair is not associated with
	young children at all.

	Cultural groups in which young children are blond
	when young but turn brunette as they age should show
	the strongest propensity to ascribe stereotyped traits
	to blond adults.  This should vary with the proportion
	of children who show the physical trait.

Anyone know of cross cultural studies on the question?

Bob Warren
cbosgd!nscs!rew

jmr1 (11/24/82)

How about red-heads????  Where do they stand????  I'm not one but I
know a few.

Now that I'm thinking about it what about those black haired folks with
small patches of grey????

			John Reese
			ll1!jmr1