A university research team reported that in a sizable group of women, those with blonde hair tended to score higher on a standard intelligence assessment than women with other hair colors. The finding was described in a scholarly repository and framed as an observation rather than a claim about biology. The researchers stressed that hair color itself does not determine intelligence, and they urged caution when interpreting the result, pointing to a range of factors beyond biology that can shape test performance, including schooling, income, access to resources, and cultural expectations. (Citation: North American study)
Nearly three thousand women participated in the study. The blondes had a mean IQ of about 103.2, with a standard deviation around 12.8, indicating scores among blonde participants were relatively tightly distributed. In practical terms, the difference between groups was small to moderate and within the bounds of what may occur by chance or due to uncontrolled variables. The North American sample included a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds, but the researchers cautioned that how participants were recruited could limit how far the results apply elsewhere. (Citation: study limitations)
Brown-haired women made up the largest share of participants, about three-quarters of the sample, and they showed a mean IQ near 102.7. The distribution of scores in this group was broader, with a standard deviation of around 13.8, suggesting more variability in cognitive test performance within this subgroup. (Citation: color-based subgroup analysis)
Red-haired women averaged 101.2 IQ points, comprising about 3.8 percent of the overall sample, while black-haired women averaged 100.5, representing roughly 2.5 percent. These figures illustrate a pattern present in the data, yet they were accompanied by notable overlap across color groups and by the influence of numerous social and environmental factors. (Citation: color-related findings)
In the male portion of the sample, brown-haired men recorded the highest mean, about 105.4, followed by blondes at 104.3. Men with red or black hair showed lower averages, around 100.6 and 98.7, respectively. The study emphasized that gender differences in the data could reflect a mix of biology, life experiences, and testing contexts rather than a simple color effect. (Citation: gender-based patterns)
Researchers stressed that the link between hair color and test scores most likely arises from social and economic influences rather than biology alone. The data invite a discussion about stereotypes and how access to education, health care, and opportunities may correlate with observed performance. The takeaway is not that hair shade determines intellect, but that any observed association should be interpreted within a broader social framework. (Citation: interpretation and caveats)
Earlier inquiries in the field have asked whether gray hair can be reversed, a question tied to aging and hair biology rather than cognitive ability. The current discussion remains focused on how color and other visible traits intersect with measurement contexts, reminding readers to approach such results with critical thinking and caution about overgeneralization. (Citation: prior inquiries)