If you’re a natural blonde (or bottle blonde, for that matter), we’re guessing that you’ve long had to put up with hilarious comments about your lack of common sense, inability to do basic maths and general stupidity.
The stereotype of the ‘dumb blonde’ is as old as time itself - OK, maybe as old as peroxide itself. But as we’ve long suspected, it’s just plain wrong, as a new scientific study has proved.
A team of researchers from Ohio State University in the US analysed the IQ scores of around 11,000 naturally blonde women, eventually discovering that their average scores were within three points of people with brown, black or red hair.
In fact, on average, blondes were found to have slightly higher IQs than people with other hair colours – although not by enough of a margin to be statistically significant.
The study used data from a 1979 survey of Americans aged between 14 and 21, detailing IQ, and a survey of the same group which took place a year later, and included a question about hair colour.
Jay Zagorsky, the author of the study, then found that blonde-haired white women had an average IQ of 103.2 – beating brunettes (102.7), red-heads (101.2) and those with black hair (100.5) by a hair’s breadth.
The study also found that blonde women were slightly more likely to be in the highest category for IQ and, conversely, less likely to be in the lowest IQ category.
Referring to the long-standing stereotype that is attached to people with blonde hair, Zagorsky said ‘ Research shows that stereotypes often have an impact on hiring, promotions and other social experiences. This study provides compelling evidence that there shouldn’t be any discrimination against blondes based on their intelligence.’
He added ‘I don’t think you can say with certainty that blondes are smarter than others, but you can definitely say they are not any dumber.’ A victory of sorts, right? Now, can we have a permanent embargo on boring ‘dumb blonde’ jokes from now until the end of time, please?
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