There’s a common stereotype that those with blonde hair (particularly women) tend to be a bit slow. An image which has been further reinforced by the likes of TOWIE. However, a recent study has squashed that consensus completely, and there’s a surprise hair colour vying to take it’s place.

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The study was conducted nationwide on young people in America, and was entitled the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 19179. Catchy.

However, Ohio State University decided to draw on only a fraction of the data gathered and examine the question of whether the stereotype of ‘dumb blondes’ was justified. They took a sample of 10,878 white women from the national survey, with a variety of common hair colours spattered throughout the results.

Shockingly, their findings revealed that the hair colour with the lowest average IQ was actually redheads. Closely followed by brunettes.

Damn, gingers just can’t catch a break, can they? Not only are they the butt of countless jokes and generally regarded as the least popular and most unattractive, but now they’re the thickest as well.

Gingers in the study had an average IQ of 101.2, while blondes had an average of 103.2. A whole 2 points above those stupid redheads. Brunettes were in the middle with 102.7. Although, I’m not really sure where this leaves me, because I’ve got blonde hair but my beard grows ginger. I guess I’m some kind of half-thick, half-Nobel-prize-winning mutant.

This isn’t all just meaningless data though, as Jay Zagorsky of Ohio State University explains:

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Research shows that stereotypes often have an impact on hiring, promotions and other social experiences.

This study provides compelling evidence that there shouldn’t be any discrimination against blondes based on their intelligence.

I don’t think you can say with certainty that blondes are smarter than others, but you can definitely say they are not any dumber.

So there you go, no discriminating against blondes – save it for their fiery haired sisters instead. That’s pretty much the gist of what he’s saying, right?

Seriously though, this is a bigger blow for the ginger community than when their ‘Shag A Ginger’ night was cancelled.