Famous Redheads Research Paper
Eng 1004 Research Paper
10/29/13
The Mystery of Redheads Redheads have been the subject of many speculations and mysteries; from the myths and legends that surround them; their attraction and people’s obsession over the color of their hair, to the phenomenon of hair stereotypes and temperamental patterns people associate with redheads. The origin of redheaded people, for example, has been a profound mystery. Are all redheads descendants from the Vikings, the Celts or where did they come from? These are just some of the questions James L. Breeling is researching in his article Hair Color: Biology, Mythology and Chemistry. Another big wonder is red hair’s significance in determining human temper, personality traits and mate preferences. The University of Michigan- Dearborn conducted an experiment detailing Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace. Lastly, the attraction that red …show more content…
headed people possess has been proven in the enormous number of famous red- headed people in the world and especially in the entertainment business. In her article Red Hair and Its Significance, Lady Helen states: “red hair is either loved or loathed.”(Red Hair and its Significance) Red haired people are a curiosity to other humans; they are perceived differently and affect people’s view of them, simply because of the color of their hair and its rarity. There are many intriguing facts about redheads’ history such as their genetics, their origins and the myths and legends that surround them. The genetics of redheads have been extensively studied and they do explain a great deal, such as, what the red hair pigment is and how red hair is different than any other hair color. Breeling believes that white skin, blond and red hair are “a mutational development that occurred within approximately the past 50,000 years, probably in or near Europe.”(Hair Foundation Article) The pigment that determines skin, hair and eye color, called melanin, is produced in melanocytes which are specialized cells found all over the body. Furthermore, he states that the reasons behind such a mutation are “highly likely to respond to the evolutionary pressure of climate. Thus, light-colored skin that synthesizes vitamin D more readily than dark skin in response to sunlight could have conferred a survival advantage in northern climates, where sunlight is weak.”(Hair Foundation Article) Yet, redheaded people are seen throughout the world. Caesar wrote about them in detail and Breeling also notes that there have been instances of “In 4,000-year-old burials in the bone-dry Taklamakan Desert, on the western edge of China, red-haired mummies have been found. Who were these red-haired people? No one knows.” (Hair Foundation Article) One thing we know for sure is that red-headed people are surrounded with myths. Breeling rightfully states that “Hair color is one of those highly visible characteristics that individualize a person.” (Hair Color Article) Starting with the belief that red hair is an indication of a fiery temper; the conviction that red-haired women are passionate lovers, to the fear of red-haired warriors, probably Celts or Scotts, that has been noted in history, the myths that surround red-headed people are many and very diverse. Hair color stereotypes are a cultural mark, they are a source of entertainment as well as prejudice and they are especially common about redheads. As such, it is no wonder that hair color stereotypes have been perpetually brought up in society and especially in jokes and prejudice. A study from the University of Michigan- Dearborn says that “Previous research has shown that people associate positive and negative personality traits with certain hair colors. Participants view blondes as attractive but dumb, brunettes as studious and competent, and redheads as smart but temperamental.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) The study included 90 female participants and 90 male participants and some of the findings were quite interesting. Not only were the results of the study interesting regarding people’s first impressions of different hair color, but it also proved that hair color has a great impact on the complete opinion people form about the individual in question, in both the work environment and in a dating scenario. The research featured pictures of the model in three different hair colors and in two different settings, the workplace and dating scene. The only differences were gender and slight tan alterations to match the change in hair color so the visualization is complete. Results in work ethic showed that “participants perceived the blonde model with the same level of work ethic in both the work setting and dating setting; the brown-haired model with a higher work ethic in the dating setting than in the work setting and the setting did not affect how participants perceived the red-haired model.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) Results in maturity revealed that “participants perceived the red-haired model as somewhat more mature in the work setting, than in the dating setting.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) Moreover, results in success claimed that “participants perceived the red hair model as somewhat less successful in the work setting, compared to the brown-haired and blonde models” and in aggressiveness, “Participants perceived the dating setting redhead as somewhat more aggressive than the other models.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) This research is an excellent example of how people’s opinions are formed based on hair color only.
There are many redheads that are famous individuals throughout the world, from historical figures to the more modern TV and movie stars. The appeal that red hair holds for people is evident in these famous redheads’ popularity. In her article “Red Hair and Its Significance”, Lady Helen states “in any case, the gold or the brown, like black or the bronze, are regarded with mild sentiment; but when red hair makes its appearance on a human head all lukewarmness is at an end. “(Red Hair and its Significance) The notion that redheads carry with them is that they are temperamental and fiery; relentless and stubborn yet sensitive and more susceptible to pain than others. Lady Helen also notes that redheads can “never live or let live, for they are too intense and feel things too strongly.” (Red Hair and its Significance) Furthermore, she mentions that “there never has been an important revolutionary movement without a red haired person intimately concerned, if not the leader.” She lists “Mohammed, David, Louis XIV, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth, Napoleon Bonaparte, even Alexander the Great” to name just a few of famous history figures. (Red Hair and its Significance) The modern day entertainment industry also boasts a palette of many redheads: Carol Burnett, a famous American actress; Lucille Ball, comedienne and actress; Margaret Sanger, one of Planned Parenthood’s founders who also fostered birth control pill and liberation of women; Emily Dickinson, American poet; Willie Nelson, Antonio Vivaldi, Thomas Jefferson, Vincent Van Gogh, James Joyce, Mark Twain and many others.
Redhead people are truly unique individuals and however rare, they do manage to make a big impression on all of humanity.
Their genetics are distinctive and found throughout the world which is a mystery in itself. The stereotypes that surround them are common knowledge and influence people’s opinion about redheads in many aspects. Famous redheads are known today in the entertainment industry as well as in history. Redheads are a curiosity indeed. Works Cited:
Beddow, Michelle, Robert Hymes, and Pamela McAuslan. "Hair Color Stereotypes And Their Associated Perceptions In Relationships And The Workplace." Psi Chi Journal Of Undergraduate Research 16.1 (2011): 12-19. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Breeling, James L. "Hair Foundation Article - Hair Color: Biology, Mythology and Chemistry." Hair Foundation Article - Hair Color: Biology, Mythology and Chemistry. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. .
Lady, Helen F. "Red Hair and its Significance." Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1922): 1. Apr 30 1905. ProQuest. Web. 25 Sep.
2013.
"Top 25 Famous Redheads." Listverse. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
10/29/13
The Mystery of Redheads Redheads have been the subject of many speculations and mysteries; from the myths and legends that surround them; their attraction and people’s obsession over the color of their hair, to the phenomenon of hair stereotypes and temperamental patterns people associate with redheads. The origin of redheaded people, for example, has been a profound mystery. Are all redheads descendants from the Vikings, the Celts or where did they come from? These are just some of the questions James L. Breeling is researching in his article Hair Color: Biology, Mythology and Chemistry. Another big wonder is red hair’s significance in determining human temper, personality traits and mate preferences. The University of Michigan- Dearborn conducted an experiment detailing Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace. Lastly, the attraction that red …show more content…
headed people possess has been proven in the enormous number of famous red- headed people in the world and especially in the entertainment business. In her article Red Hair and Its Significance, Lady Helen states: “red hair is either loved or loathed.”(Red Hair and its Significance) Red haired people are a curiosity to other humans; they are perceived differently and affect people’s view of them, simply because of the color of their hair and its rarity. There are many intriguing facts about redheads’ history such as their genetics, their origins and the myths and legends that surround them. The genetics of redheads have been extensively studied and they do explain a great deal, such as, what the red hair pigment is and how red hair is different than any other hair color. Breeling believes that white skin, blond and red hair are “a mutational development that occurred within approximately the past 50,000 years, probably in or near Europe.”(Hair Foundation Article) The pigment that determines skin, hair and eye color, called melanin, is produced in melanocytes which are specialized cells found all over the body. Furthermore, he states that the reasons behind such a mutation are “highly likely to respond to the evolutionary pressure of climate. Thus, light-colored skin that synthesizes vitamin D more readily than dark skin in response to sunlight could have conferred a survival advantage in northern climates, where sunlight is weak.”(Hair Foundation Article) Yet, redheaded people are seen throughout the world. Caesar wrote about them in detail and Breeling also notes that there have been instances of “In 4,000-year-old burials in the bone-dry Taklamakan Desert, on the western edge of China, red-haired mummies have been found. Who were these red-haired people? No one knows.” (Hair Foundation Article) One thing we know for sure is that red-headed people are surrounded with myths. Breeling rightfully states that “Hair color is one of those highly visible characteristics that individualize a person.” (Hair Color Article) Starting with the belief that red hair is an indication of a fiery temper; the conviction that red-haired women are passionate lovers, to the fear of red-haired warriors, probably Celts or Scotts, that has been noted in history, the myths that surround red-headed people are many and very diverse. Hair color stereotypes are a cultural mark, they are a source of entertainment as well as prejudice and they are especially common about redheads. As such, it is no wonder that hair color stereotypes have been perpetually brought up in society and especially in jokes and prejudice. A study from the University of Michigan- Dearborn says that “Previous research has shown that people associate positive and negative personality traits with certain hair colors. Participants view blondes as attractive but dumb, brunettes as studious and competent, and redheads as smart but temperamental.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) The study included 90 female participants and 90 male participants and some of the findings were quite interesting. Not only were the results of the study interesting regarding people’s first impressions of different hair color, but it also proved that hair color has a great impact on the complete opinion people form about the individual in question, in both the work environment and in a dating scenario. The research featured pictures of the model in three different hair colors and in two different settings, the workplace and dating scene. The only differences were gender and slight tan alterations to match the change in hair color so the visualization is complete. Results in work ethic showed that “participants perceived the blonde model with the same level of work ethic in both the work setting and dating setting; the brown-haired model with a higher work ethic in the dating setting than in the work setting and the setting did not affect how participants perceived the red-haired model.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) Results in maturity revealed that “participants perceived the red-haired model as somewhat more mature in the work setting, than in the dating setting.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) Moreover, results in success claimed that “participants perceived the red hair model as somewhat less successful in the work setting, compared to the brown-haired and blonde models” and in aggressiveness, “Participants perceived the dating setting redhead as somewhat more aggressive than the other models.” (Hair Color Stereotypes and Their Associated Perceptions in Relationships and the Workplace) This research is an excellent example of how people’s opinions are formed based on hair color only.
There are many redheads that are famous individuals throughout the world, from historical figures to the more modern TV and movie stars. The appeal that red hair holds for people is evident in these famous redheads’ popularity. In her article “Red Hair and Its Significance”, Lady Helen states “in any case, the gold or the brown, like black or the bronze, are regarded with mild sentiment; but when red hair makes its appearance on a human head all lukewarmness is at an end. “(Red Hair and its Significance) The notion that redheads carry with them is that they are temperamental and fiery; relentless and stubborn yet sensitive and more susceptible to pain than others. Lady Helen also notes that redheads can “never live or let live, for they are too intense and feel things too strongly.” (Red Hair and its Significance) Furthermore, she mentions that “there never has been an important revolutionary movement without a red haired person intimately concerned, if not the leader.” She lists “Mohammed, David, Louis XIV, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth, Napoleon Bonaparte, even Alexander the Great” to name just a few of famous history figures. (Red Hair and its Significance) The modern day entertainment industry also boasts a palette of many redheads: Carol Burnett, a famous American actress; Lucille Ball, comedienne and actress; Margaret Sanger, one of Planned Parenthood’s founders who also fostered birth control pill and liberation of women; Emily Dickinson, American poet; Willie Nelson, Antonio Vivaldi, Thomas Jefferson, Vincent Van Gogh, James Joyce, Mark Twain and many others.
Redhead people are truly unique individuals and however rare, they do manage to make a big impression on all of humanity.
Their genetics are distinctive and found throughout the world which is a mystery in itself. The stereotypes that surround them are common knowledge and influence people’s opinion about redheads in many aspects. Famous redheads are known today in the entertainment industry as well as in history. Redheads are a curiosity indeed. Works Cited:
Beddow, Michelle, Robert Hymes, and Pamela McAuslan. "Hair Color Stereotypes And Their Associated Perceptions In Relationships And The Workplace." Psi Chi Journal Of Undergraduate Research 16.1 (2011): 12-19. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Breeling, James L. "Hair Foundation Article - Hair Color: Biology, Mythology and Chemistry." Hair Foundation Article - Hair Color: Biology, Mythology and Chemistry. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. .
Lady, Helen F. "Red Hair and its Significance." Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1922): 1. Apr 30 1905. ProQuest. Web. 25 Sep.
2013.
"Top 25 Famous Redheads." Listverse. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.