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Blondes 'have an aggressive edge' | Blondes 'have an aggressive edge' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Women with blonde hair have the competitive edge, being more aggressive and determined than redheads and brunettes, say scientists. | Women with blonde hair have the competitive edge, being more aggressive and determined than redheads and brunettes, say scientists. |
Fair-haired women, whether natural or out of a bottle, display a warlike streak when fighting battles to get their own way, findings suggest. | |
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences work might explain why many leading women are blonde. | |
The University of California team studied 156 female students. | The University of California team studied 156 female students. |
Blonde ambition | Blonde ambition |
They found blondes were used to getting more attention and being treated better by others. | They found blondes were used to getting more attention and being treated better by others. |
They may not even realise they are treated like a princess Lead researcher Aaron Sell | They may not even realise they are treated like a princess Lead researcher Aaron Sell |
The researchers believe this sense of entitlement is what makes them more willing to "go to war" over an issue. | The researchers believe this sense of entitlement is what makes them more willing to "go to war" over an issue. |
Lead researcher Aaron Sell said: "We expected blondes to feel more entitled than other young women - this is southern California, the natural habitat of the privileged blonde. | |
"What we did not expect to find was how much more warlike they are than their peers on campus." | "What we did not expect to find was how much more warlike they are than their peers on campus." |
His research found that the more "special" a woman felt, typically the blondes, the more likely they were to get angry to reach social goals. | His research found that the more "special" a woman felt, typically the blondes, the more likely they were to get angry to reach social goals. |
Even those who dyed their hair blonde took on a natural blonde's attributes. | |
However, the blondes were less likely than brunettes or redheads to get into a fight themselves - possibly to ensure they preserved their looks. | However, the blondes were less likely than brunettes or redheads to get into a fight themselves - possibly to ensure they preserved their looks. |
'Princess' effect | 'Princess' effect |
Dr Sell said he suspected that blondes existed in a "bubble", where they had been treated better than other people for so long they did not realise that men, in particular, were more deferential towards them than other women. | |
"They may not even realise they are treated like a princess," he said. | "They may not even realise they are treated like a princess," he said. |
Scientists say there is some suggestion that men are naturally drawn to women with fairer hair. | Scientists say there is some suggestion that men are naturally drawn to women with fairer hair. |
Cavemen are said to have preferred blonde mates because fair hair was an indication of higher levels of oestrogen and fertility. | Cavemen are said to have preferred blonde mates because fair hair was an indication of higher levels of oestrogen and fertility. |
But while being blonde might boost your social life, it could damage your career prospects, say other researchers. | |
A recent study found blonde females earned far less, on average, than darker-haired women. | |
Consultant psychologist Ingrid Collins of The London Medical Centre said the latest findings were interesting but should be interpreted with caution. | |
"People do tend to buy into and live up to stereotypes. | "People do tend to buy into and live up to stereotypes. |
"But this is a small study on a very limited sample group so it is not possible to generalise." | "But this is a small study on a very limited sample group so it is not possible to generalise." |