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The Hair Part Theory states: The way a person parts their hair is related to many subconscious associations when assessed by others. Each hair part type initiates cycles of behavior toward, and response from, the individual. Over time, these cycles affect personality development, perpetuating a system of cumulative and interactional continuity. Parting the hair on the left or right initiates, in viewers of the individual, subconscious associations with the aspects of cognition generally ascribed to the same cranial hemisphere that is accented by the hair part (i.e. left part, left hemisphere). When there is a center part, no part or baldness, the subconscious associations are more balanced or neutral, with neither cranial hemisphere’s activities given more importance in the assessment.
When a person puts a part in their hair, left or right, they are emphasizing the left or right cranial hemisphere functioning. Currently accepted knowledge of cranial hemisphere functioning is that the left hemisphere specializes in language, memories of words, math, logic, linear operations and activities traditionally attributed to masculinity in our culture. The right hemisphere specializes in visual processing, memories of pictures, musical perception and nonlinear tasks traditionally attributed to femininity in our culture. It is also believed that men’s brains function more asymmetrically than women’s brains and are more likely to use highly specific areas for different tasks, whereas women’s right and left hemispheres function more in conjunction with each other.
It is important to note that the correlation between hair parts and personal characteristics is not a necessary or sufficient one -- there are many influences on the character of a person. However, hair parts can play a significant role and this theory describes strong tendencies of an individual to develop specific personality traits in reaction to unconscious societal response to personal hair part choices.
The Hair Part Theory will enable individuals to become aware of the messages they could be projecting with their choice of hair part. The characteristics associated with each type of hair part for each gender are as follows:
Men W/Left Part: Natural for men, usually works well for them. Perceived as popular, successful, strong, traditional. Can be out of touch with the feminine side of themselves. Examples: John Wayne, Tom Brokaw, John F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy
Women W/Left Part: Usually ok, especially for women interested in making it in business and politics. Perceived as intelligent, in-charge, reliable. Can sometimes be perceived as too "masculine", and/or can create difficulties with fulfilling traditionally feminine roles. Examples: Hillary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Christine Todd Whitman
Men W/Right Part: Usually unnatural for men. Can create an uncomfortable image; can cause social shunning, sometimes leading to unusual or eccentric behavior. Perceived as atypical, open, radical. Can work ok if the man is very confident, attractive, or striving to be respected in a non-traditional male role. Examples: Al Gore, Rush Limbaugh, Robert F. Kennedy, Charlie Rose, Tom Snyder
Women W/Right Part: Natural for women. Usually works ok. Perceived as very feminine, gentle, caring. Can cause problems of not being taken seriously. Examples: Martha Stewart, Jane Pauley, Betsy McCaughey Ross, Geraldine Ferraro
Men + Women W/No Part, Natural for men and women. Perceived as balanced, trustworthy and wise. Can lack the flair associated with
Center Part or Bald: the other types. Examples: U.S. Presidents 1-9, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Sean Connery
