Shorn Scalps and Perceptions of Male Dominance

The document reports on three studies that examined how men with shaved heads are perceived in terms of dominance, strength, and attractiveness. The first study found that men with shaved heads were rated as more dominant than those with hair. The second study revealed that men appeared more dominant, taller, and stronger when their hair was digitally removed. The third study confirmed these findings with nonphotographic stimuli and suggested that shaving could benefit men with natural hair loss. Participants rated men in photographs, and the results indicated that a shaved head conveys dominance but also makes men look older and less attractive. The research involved 552 participants after excluding inattentive responses from the initial 588. The findings imply that in the U.S., a shaved scalp is associated with dominance, possibly due to stereotypes linked to masculine professions, but it also increases perceived age and decreases attractiveness. The study highlights the potential social and economic advantages for men who shave their heads, despite some limitations such as its focus on the U.S. and lack of behavioral evidence.