Cue Masking and Cultural Signals: Testing Context-Specific Preferences for Balding Leaders

The study explored the impact of male pattern baldness (MPB) and shaved heads on leadership perceptions in various contexts. Study 1, with 634 participants, found that men with MPB were seen as older, and shaving the head increased perceived dominance but did not affect perceived age or intelligence. Full hair was linked to higher attractiveness and health. Studies 2 and 3, with 400 and 423 participants respectively, showed that full heads of hair were preferred in peace and exploration contexts, but there was no significant preference for bald leaders in any context. Shaved heads were specifically disliked in peacekeeping scenarios. The research concluded that while baldness and shaved heads influence trait perceptions, they do not significantly affect leader preferences, challenging the idea that baldness confers a leadership advantage in context-specific situations.