Researchers have found that people with curly hair are more likely to be socially accepted than those with straight hair. Those with curly hair, including men and women, were rated as more attractive and have better personalities than straight-haired peers when they entered the study. And even after controlling for other known factors that could influence attractiveness such as race, age, facial attractiveness, and grooming, the researchers found that people with curly hair were still held in higher esteem.
The results of this study are shown by comparing the ratings of attractiveness for those with curly hair to those for straight-haired persons. In one case it was a comparison between African American men in each category whereas in another case it was a comparison between white men. In both instances, the points on the curve rise from left to right showing progressively higher attractiveness for straight-haired persons compared to those with curly hair.
Many research projects have found that people with curlier hair are perceived as more attractive than others, but it is not clear whether this advantage has a genetic basis or if it is the consequence of differential treatment by others. It seems to be a bit of both, but the evidence does suggest some genetic advantage exists. For example, people with curly hair are also perceived as being more attractive than others when they display neutral expressions or even relatively unattractive emotions such as anger. So the curly hair itself seems to be attractive.
In one study in Germany, researchers used photographs of young adults with digitally added curls and spirals to determine if evaluators were biased toward people with curly hair. Photographs of men and women with naturally curlier hair also served as a comparison group. The pictures were placed alongside eight personality traits, and evaluators were asked to indicate which ones (if any) the person in the photograph embodied. Curly-haired individuals were rated more attractive on four traits: cheerful, innocent, likable, and friendly.
In addition to believing that people with curly hair are more socially desirable than straight-haired people they also believe that people with curly hair are also more intelligent and outgoing. However, the majority of this research has been done on Anglo-American subjects which may not be a good representation of most cultures. This is a relatively new field of research so we need more studies conducted in non-Anglophone countries to see if these results would be replicated by all cultures.
The researchers found that white men and women who had curly hair were more frequently rated as being attractive by their peers than those with straight hair. Curly-haired black men were also rated higher than straight-haired black men, although not statistically significant. There was no difference in the ratings of attractiveness between African American women’s faces with curly hair and those with straight hair.
The results of this study are shown by comparing the ratings of attractiveness for those with curly hair to those for straight-haired persons. In one case it was a comparison between African American men in each category whereas in another case it was a comparison between white men.
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