The Influence of Hair Color on Eliciting Help: Do Blondes Have More Fun?

A review of the literature suggests that hair color influences the quality of interpersonal interactions. In a factorially designed study, two male and two female confederates (Cs) encountered 72 male and 72 female street pedestrians (Ss) asking for help. Cs wore brunette wigs for half of their interactions and blonde wigs for the rest. Results showed that while women helped Cs equally regardless of their gender, men helped women more than they helped men. Hair color of Cs was not shown to affect helping behavior. The findings are discussed in the context of other studies and limitations are outlined.